Hello, I'm an expert in the field of database management and I'd be happy to explain SQL and how it works. SQL stands for Structured Query Language. It's a domain-specific language used in programming and designed for managing data held in a relational database management system, or a RDBMS. The language was developed in the 1970s by a team led by Donald D. Chamberlin and Raymond F. Boyce at IBM who strived to create a standard for data subsetting and manipulation. SQL works by allowing users to query a database using declarative statements. This means that rather than providing a step-by-step algorithm to reach a result, you simply specify what you want. SQL statements are used for a variety of operations including data query, data manipulation, data definition, and data access control. Here's a basic breakdown of how SQL works: 1. Connect to the Database: Before you can interact with a database, you must establish a connection to it. This is typically done through a database driver or a database management tool. 2. Write SQL Statements: Once connected, you can write SQL statements to perform various tasks. For example, the SELECT statement is used to select data from a database. The UPDATE statement is used to modify data, and the DELETE statement is used to delete data. 3. Execute the Query: After writing your SQL statement, you execute it against the database. The database management system processes the query and returns the result. 4. Retrieve Results: If the query is a select query, it will return a result set which is a table of data that matches the criteria specified in the query. 5. Close the Connection: It's good practice to close the connection once you're done to free up resources. SQL is a powerful tool for managing and manipulating data in databases. It's used by a wide range of professionals including data analysts, software developers, and database administrators. read more >>

SQL is used to communicate with a database. According to ANSI (American National Standards Institute), it is the standard language for relational database management systems. SQL statements are used to perform tasks such as update data on a database, or retrieve data from a database.read more >>