Chapter 2. Beginning SQL Commands in SQL Server

In this chapter, we discuss how to write (build) simple SQL query statements in SQL Server using the SELECT statement. We examine how to retrieve data from a table by the use of SELECT statements, how to SELECT fields (columns) and rows from tables, how to use the ORDER BY and WHERE clauses, and how to use the AND, OR, and BETWEEN operators. The concept of COUNT and null values is also to be established. Then, to make writing queries simpler, we discuss how to use table and column aliases, table qualifiers, synonyms, and finally we present a convention for writing SQL statements.