Basic SQL Syntax: Getting Started with SQL

If you’re just starting to learn SQL, understanding the basic syntax is the key to writing your first queries. SQL may look a bit different from other programming languages, but its structure is consistent, readable, and beginner-friendly.

This guide covers the core elements of SQL syntax with simple examples and best practices. You can test everything in the Galaxy SQL Editor.

SQL Statements Always Start with Keywords

SQL is made up of commands called statements, and each one begins with a keyword:

• SELECT – to retrieve data
• INSERT INTO – to add data
• UPDATE – to modify existing records
• DELETE FROM – to remove data

These statements often follow a consistent structure with clauses like FROM, WHERE, and ORDER BY.

SELECT Statement Syntax

The most common SQL command is SELECT, used to query data from a table.

SELECT column1, column2
FROM table_name
WHERE condition
ORDER BY column1 ASC
LIMIT 10;


Example:

SELECT name, email
FROM users
WHERE is_active = true
ORDER BY created_at DESC
LIMIT 5;


This retrieves the five most recently created active users.

Semicolons End SQL Statements

In most databases, every SQL statement ends with a semicolon (;). This tells the database that the command is complete.

SELECT * FROM users;


Case-Insensitive Keywords, Case-Sensitive Names

SQL keywords (like SELECT, FROM, WHERE) are case-insensitive. But table names and column names can be case-sensitive, depending on the database.

Best Practice: Use uppercase for SQL keywords and lowercase for table/column names:

SELECT name FROM users;


String and Date Literals Use Quotes

Use single quotes (') for string and date values:

SELECT * FROM orders WHERE status = 'shipped';
SELECT * FROM users WHERE created_at >= '2023-01-01';


Don’t use double quotes for values—that’s used for identifiers in some databases.

Common Clauses in SQL Syntax

1. FROM

Specifies which table you’re querying.

SELECT * FROM products;


2. WHERE

Filters rows based on a condition.

SELECT * FROM users WHERE country = 'USA';


Learn more in our WHERE Clause guide.

3. ORDER BY

Sorts the result set by one or more columns.

SELECT * FROM users ORDER BY created_at DESC;


4. LIMIT and OFFSET

Limits how many rows are returned and skips a certain number.

SELECT * FROM users LIMIT 10 OFFSET 20;


See our full LIMIT and OFFSET guide.

Comments in SQL

You can leave notes in your SQL using comments:

-- This is a single-line comment
SELECT * FROM users; -- Get all users

/*
This is a multi-line comment
for longer explanations.
*/


Whitespace and Formatting

SQL ignores extra spaces and line breaks, so feel free to format your queries for readability.

SELECT
 name,
 email
FROM
 users
WHERE
 is_active = true;


Putting It All Together

Here’s a complete example with multiple clauses:

SELECT name, created_at
FROM users
WHERE email IS NOT NULL
ORDER BY created_at DESC
LIMIT 5;


This query:

• Selects name and created_at columns
• Filters out users with missing emails
• Sorts by creation date, most recent first
• Returns only the top 5 results

Final Thoughts

Mastering SQL syntax is the first step toward building queries that extract powerful insights from your data. Start small, get familiar with each clause, and experiment with real queries in a live environment.

You can write and run your first queries instantly using the Galaxy SQL Editor.

Continue learning:

• Write Your First SQL Query
• Understanding SQL Data Types
• How SQL Works
• Common SQL Mistakes and Fixes

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