structured query language (SQL)

Definition

English-like set of commands used in accessing, editing, or updating, information stored in a database. Invented by International Business Machines (IBM) Corp., in 1974, SQL continues to be enhanced and (having been adopted by both ANSI and ISO), is a de-facto worldwide standard. Capable of running on practically every computer from mainframes to handheld ones, it comprises of about 60 commands of which four (SELECT for data retrieval, UPDATE for data insertion, DELETE for data removal, and INSERT for data insertion) are the most basic. However (unlike BASIC or Java) it is not a complete programming language capable of creating usable application programs, and must be embedded in another programs or employed through computer languages that can include SQL commands.