INSERT trigger in SQL - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is an INSERT trigger in SQL?

An INSERT trigger is a special kind of stored procedure that automatically runs when a new row is added to a table.

beginner

When does an INSERT trigger execute?

It executes immediately after or before a new row is inserted into a table, depending on how the trigger is defined.

intermediate

Can an INSERT trigger modify the data being inserted?

Yes, a BEFORE INSERT trigger can change the data before it is saved, while an AFTER INSERT trigger cannot modify the inserted data but can act on it.

beginner

Give a simple example of an INSERT trigger use case.

A trigger that automatically adds the current date and time to a 'created_at' column whenever a new row is inserted.

intermediate

What happens if an INSERT trigger raises an error?

The insert operation is rolled back, and the new row is not added to the table.

What does an INSERT trigger do?

A Updates existing rows only

B Deletes rows from a table

C Runs automatically when a new row is added to a table

D Creates a new table

An INSERT trigger runs automatically when a new row is inserted into a table.

When is a BEFORE INSERT trigger executed?

A Before the row is inserted

B After the row is inserted

C When a row is deleted

D When a table is created

A BEFORE INSERT trigger runs before the new row is saved to the table.

Can an AFTER INSERT trigger modify the inserted data?

A Yes, it can change the data before insertion

B No, it only runs on updates

C Yes, it deletes the data

D No, it cannot modify the inserted data

AFTER INSERT triggers run after data is inserted and cannot change the inserted row.

What happens if an INSERT trigger causes an error?

A The insert still happens

B The insert is rolled back and does not happen

C The trigger is ignored

D The database shuts down

If a trigger raises an error, the insert operation is canceled and rolled back.

Which of these is a common use for an INSERT trigger?

A Automatically logging the insert time

B Deleting old rows

C Changing table structure

D Backing up the database

INSERT triggers often add timestamps or log information when new rows are added.

Explain what an INSERT trigger is and when it runs.

Think about what happens automatically when you add a new row.

Describe a practical example where you might use an INSERT trigger.

Consider adding timestamps or logging new data.