SQL INSERT INTO Statement

Understanding the SQL INSERT INTO Statement

Introduction:

The SQL INSERT INTO statement is used to add new rows of data into a table in a relational database. It allows you to specify the table name and the values to be inserted for each column in the table. This statement is essential for adding data to a database, whether you are inserting a single row or multiple rows at once. In this article, we will explore the usage and syntax of the SQL INSERT INTO statement along with examples to help you understand its functionality effectively.

Syntax:

The general syntax for the SQL INSERT INTO statement is as follows:

        INSERT INTO table_name (column1, column2, ...)
        VALUES (value1, value2, ...);
    

Usage and Examples:

Let's consider a scenario where you have a table named "employees" with columns such as "employee_id", "first_name", "last_name", and "email". To insert a new row into this table, you can use the SQL INSERT INTO statement. Here's an example of inserting a single row:

        INSERT INTO employees (employee_id, first_name, last_name, email)
        VALUES (1, 'John', 'Doe', 'john.doe@example.com');
    

The above query will insert a new row into the "employees" table with the specified values for each column. It is important to ensure that the data types of the values match the corresponding columns in the table.

The SQL INSERT INTO statement can also be used to insert multiple rows at once. Instead of specifying a single set of values, you can provide multiple sets of values within parentheses, separated by commas. Here's an example of inserting multiple rows:

        INSERT INTO employees (employee_id, first_name, last_name, email)
        VALUES
        (2, 'Jane', 'Smith', 'jane.smith@example.com'),
        (3, 'David', 'Johnson', 'david.johnson@example.com'),
        (4, 'Emily', 'Davis', 'emily.davis@example.com');
    

The above query will insert three new rows into the "employees" table, each with the specified values for the columns. This allows you to efficiently insert multiple rows in a single SQL statement.

Conclusion:

The SQL INSERT INTO statement is a fundamental part of adding data to a relational database. It allows you to insert new rows with specific values into a table. Whether you need to insert a single row or multiple rows, the SQL INSERT INTO statement provides a simple and efficient way to add data to your database tables. By understanding its syntax and usage, you can effectively manipulate and manage the data in your database.