Chapter 1: Basic SQL SELECT Statements

Introduction to Oracle9i: SQL Exam Objectives Covered in this

Chapter:
ritin! Basic SQL Select Statements
o List the capabilities of SQL SELECT statements
o Execute a basic SELECT statement
"estrictin! and Sortin! #ata
o Limit the rows retrieved by a query
o Sort the rows retrieved by a query
$ote Exam obectives are subect to chan!e at any time without prior notice and at
"racle#s sole discretion$ %lease visit "racle#s Certification website
&http://www.oracle.com/education/certification/' for the most
current exam obectives listin!$
The "racle(i database provides many useful and powerful features$ )any of the features are
incorporated at the SQL level$ SQL &pronounced *sequel*' has been adopted by most relational
database mana!ement systems &+,-)S'$ The .merican /ational Standards 0nstitute &./S0'
has been refinin! standards for the SQL lan!ua!e for the past 12 years$ "racle3 li4e many other
companies3 has ta4en the ./S0 standard of SQL and extended it to include much additional
functionality$
SQL is the basic lan!ua!e used to manipulate and retrieve data from the "racle(i database$ SQL
is a nonprocedural lan!ua!e5it does not have pro!rammatic constructs such as loop structures$
%L6SQL is "racle#s procedural extension of SQL3 and SQL7 allows embedded SQL operations in
7ava code$ The scope of this test includes only SQL$
The SQL SELECT statement is used to query data from the database8stora!e structures3 such as
tables and views$ 0n this chapter3 you will learn how to write basic SQL statements to retrieve data
from tables$ 9ou will also learn how to limit the information retrieved and to display the results in a
specific order$
SQL %undamentals
The basic structure of data stora!e in "racle(i database is a table$ . table consists of columns
and its characteristics$ ,ata is stored in the table as rows$ Creatin! and maintainin! tables are
discussed in detail in Chapter :3 *)ana!in! Tables and Constraints$* To !et started with SQL in
this chapter3 you will use the sample ;+ schema supplied with the "racle(i database$
$ote <hen you install "racle software3 choose the option to create a seed
database$ This database will have the sample schemas used in this boo4$ The
default 0,s and password for the seed database are S9STE)6)./.=E+3
S9S6C;./=E>"/>0/ST.LL$ The account S9S is the "racle dictionary
owner3 and S9STE) is a ,-. account$ 0nitially3 the sample schemas are
loc4ed$ 9ou need to connect to the database usin! S9STE)3 and then unloc4
the account usin! the ALTER USER statement$ To unloc4 the ;+ schema3 use
ALTER USER HR IDENTIIED !" HR#ASS$%RD A&&%UNT UNL%&'?$ /ow
you can connect to the ;+ schema usin! the password ;+%.SS<"+,$
SQL statements are li4e plain En!lish but with specific syntax$ SQL is a simple3 yet powerful3
lan!ua!e used to create3 access3 and manipulate data and structure in the database$ SQL
statements can be cate!ori@ed as listed in Table 1$1$
Table &'&: SQL Statement Cate!ories
SQL Cate!or( #escription
,ata )anipulation
Lan!ua!e &,)L'
Ased to access3 create3 modify3 or delete data in the existin!
structures of the database$ ,)L statements include those to query
information &SELE&T'3 add new rows &INSERT'3 modify existin!
rows &U#DATE'3 delete existin! rows &DELETE'3 perform a
conditional update or insert operation &(ER)E'3 see an execution
plan of SQL &E*#LAIN #LAN'3 and loc4 a table to restrict access
&L%&' TA!LE'$
,ata ,efinition
Lan!ua!e &,,L'
Ased to define3 alter3 or drop database obects and their privile!es$
,,L statements include those to create3 modify3 drop3 or rename
obects &&REATE3 ALTER3 DR%#3 RENA(E'3 remove all rows from a
database obect without droppin! the structure &TRUN&ATE'3
mana!e access privile!es &)RANT3 RE+%'E'3 audit database use
&AUDIT3 N%AUDIT' and add a description about an obect to the
dictionary &&%((ENT'$
Transaction Control Ased to !roup a set of ,)L statements as a sin!le transaction$
Asin! these statements3 you can save the chan!es &&%((IT' or
discard the chan!es &R%LL!A&'' made by ,)L statements$ .lso
included in the transaction8control statements are statements to
set a point or mar4er in the transaction for possible rollbac4
&SA+E#%INT' and to define the properties for the transaction &SET
TRANSA&TI%N'$
Session Control Ased to control the properties of a user session$ &. session is the
point from which you are connected to the database until you
disconnect$' Session8control statements include those to control
the session properties &ALTER SESSI%N' and to enable6disable
roles &SET R%LE'$
System Control Ased to mana!e the properties of the database$ There is only one
statement in this cate!ory &ALTER S"STE('$
Table 1$1 provides an overview of all the statements that will be covered in this boo4$ ,o not
worry if you do not understand certain terms3 such as role3 session3 privilege3 and so on$ <e will
cover all the statements in the comin! chapters with many examples$ 0n this chapter3 we will
be!in with writin! simple statements to query the database &SELE&T statements'$ -ut first3 we
need to review some SQL fundamentals$
Oracle #atat(pes
<hen you create a table to store data in the database3 you need to specify a datatype for all of
the columns you define in the table$ "racle has many datatypes to suit application requirements$
"racle(i also supports ./S0 and ,-1 datatypes$ The "racle built8in datatypes can be broadly
classified as shown in Table 1$1$
Table &'): Oracle Built*in #atat(pes
Cate!or( #atat(pes
Character C;.+3 /C;.+3 B.+C;.+13 /B.+C;.+1
Table &'): Oracle Built*in #atat(pes
Cate!or( #atat(pes
/umber /A)-E+
Lon! and raw L"/=3 L"/= +.<3 +.<
,ate and time ,.TE3 T0)EST.)%3 T0)EST.)% <0T; T0)E C"/E3
T0)EST.)% <0T; L"C.L T0)E C"/E3 0/TE+B.L 9E.+ T"
)"/T;3 0/TE+B.L ,.9 T" SEC"/,
Lar!e obect CL"-3 /CL"-3 -CL"-3 -D0LE
+ow 0, +"<0,3 A+"<0,
0n this section3 we will discuss only a few of the built8in datatypes to !et started with SQL$ .ll the
datatypes and their usa!e are discussed in detail in Chapter :$
C+,"-.size/0
The CHAR datatype is a fixed8len!th alphanumeric strin!3 which has a maximum len!th in bytes$
,ata stored in C;.+ columns is space8padded to fill the maximum len!th$ 0ts si@e can ran!e
from a minimum of 1 byte to a maximum of 1222 bytes$ The default si@e is 1$
<hen you create a column usin! the C;.+ datatype3 the database will ensure that all data
placed in this column has the defined len!th$ 0f the data is shorter than the defined len!th3 it is
space8padded on the ri!ht to the specified len!th$ 0f the data is lon!er3 an error is raised$
1,"C+,")-.size/0
The VARCHAR2 datatype is a variable8len!th alphanumeric strin!3 which has a maximum len!th
in bytes$ B.+C;.+1 columns require only the amount of space needed to store the data and
can store up to E222 bytes$ There is no default si@e for the B.+C;.+1 datatype$ .n empty
B.+C;.+1&1222' column ta4es up as much room in the database as an empty B.+C;.+1&1'
column$
$ote The default si@e of a C;.+ datatype is 1$ Dor a B.+C;.+1 datatype3 you
must always specify the si@e$
The B.+C;.+1 and C;.+ datatypes have different comparison rules for trailin! spaces$ <ith
the C;.+ datatype3 trailin! spaces are i!nored$ <ith the B.+C;.+1 datatype3 trailin! spaces
are not i!nored3 and they sort hi!her than no trailin! spaces$ ;ere#s an example:

C;.+ datatype: ,"o, - ,"o ,
B.+C;.+1 datatype: ,"o, . ,"o ,
$23BE" -.p/4 .s/0
The NUMBER datatype stores numbers with a precision of p di!its and a scale of s di!its$ The
precision and scale values are optional$ /umeric datatypes are used to store ne!ative and
positive inte!ers3 fixed8point numbers3 and floatin!8point numbers$ The precision can be between
1 and FG3 and the scale has a ran!e between 8GE and 11:$ 0f the precision and scale are omitted3
"racle assumes the maximum of the ran!e for both values$
9ou can have precision and scale di!its in the inte!er part$ The scale rounds the value after the
decimal point to s di!its$ Dor example3 if you define a column as /A)-E+&H31'3 the ran!e of
values you can store in this column is from 8((($(( to ((($((? that is3 H81IF for the inte!er part3
and the decimal part is rounded to two di!its$ Even if you do not include the decimal part for the
value inserted3 the maximum number you can store in a /A)-E+&H31' definition is ((($
"racle will round numbers inserted into numeric columns with a scale smaller than the inserted
number$ Dor example3 if a column were defined as /A)-E+&E31' and you specified a value of
11$11H to !o into that column3 the resultin! number would be rounded to 11$1F before it was
inserted into the column$ 0f the value exceeds the precision3 however3 an "racle error is returned$
9ou cannot insert 11F$1 into a column defined as /A)-E+&E31'$ Specifyin! the scale and
precision does not force all inserted values to be a fixed len!th$
0f the scale is ne!ative3 the number is rounded to the left of the decimal$ -asically3 a ne!ative
scale forces s number of @eros ust to the left of the decimal$
0f you specify a scale that is !reater than the precision value3 the precision defines the maximum
number of di!its to ri!ht of the decimal point after the @eros$ Dor example3 if a column is defined
as /A)-E+&F3H'3 the ran!e of values you can store is from 82$22((( to 2$22(((? that is3 it
requires two @eros &s8p' after the decimal point and rounds the decimal part to three di!its &p'
after @eros$ Table 1$F shows several examples of how numeric data is stored with various
definitions$
Table &'5: 6recision and Scale Examples
1alue #atat(pe Stored 1alue Explanation
11F$1HJE /A)-E+ 11F$1HJE +an!e and precision are set
to the maximum3 so the
datatype can store any
value$
11FE$(G:J /A)-E+&J31' 11FE$(( Since scale is only 13 the
decimal part of the value is
rounded to two di!its$
11FEH$11FEH /A)-E+&J31' Error The ran!e of inte!er part is
only from 8(((( to (((($
11FEHJ /A)-E+&J31' Error %recision is lar!er than
specified? ran!e is only from
8(((( to (((($
11FE$(G:J /A)-E+&J' 11FH ,ecimal part rounded to the
next inte!er$
11FEHJ$1 /A)-E+&J' 11FEHJ ,ecimal part rounded$
11FEH$FEH /A)-E+&H381' 11F22 /e!ative scale rounds the
number KsL di!its left to the
decimal point$ 81 rounds to
hundreds$
11FEHJ: /A)-E+&H381' 11FEJ22 +ounded to the nearest
hundred$
11FEHJ:G /A)-E+&H381' Error "utside ran!e? can have
only five di!its3 excludin! the
Table &'5: 6recision and Scale Examples
1alue #atat(pe Stored 1alue Explanation
two @eros representin!
hundreds3 for a total of
seven di!its$ &s8&8
p'IsMpIHM1I:'
11FEHJ:G( /A)-E+&H38E' 11FEJ2222 +ounded to nearest 12222$
11FEHJ:G(2 /A)-E+&H38E' Error "utside ran!e? can have
only five di!its excludin! the
four trailin! @eros$
11FEH$HG /A)-E+&N3 1' 11FEH$J Ase of N in precision
specifies the default limit
&FG'$
2$1 /A)-E+&E3H' Error +equires a @ero after the
decimal point &H8EI1'
2$211FEHJ: /A)-E+&E3H' 2$211FH +ounded to four di!its after
the decimal point and @ero$
2$2(((( /A)-E+&E3H' 2$2(((( Stored as it is? only four
di!its after the decimal point
and @ero$
2$2((((J /A)-E+&E3H' Error +oundin! this value to four
di!its after the decimal and
@ero results in 2$13 which is
outside the ran!e$
#,TE
The DATE datatype is used to store date and time information$ This datatype can be converted to
other forms for viewin!3 but it has a number of special functions and properties that ma4e date
manipulation and calculations simple$ The time component of the ,.TE datatype has a resolution
of one second5no less$ The ,.TE datatype occupies a stora!e space of seven bytes$ The
followin! information is contained within each ,.TE datatype:
Century
9ear
)onth
,ay
;our
)inute
Second
,ate values are inserted or updated in the database by convertin! either a numeric or character
value into a ,.TE datatype usin! the function T%/DATE$ "racle defaults the format to display
date as DDM!N""$ This format shows that the default date must be!in with a two8di!it day3
followed by a three8character abbreviation for the month3 followed by a two8di!it year$ 0f you
specify the date without includin! a time component3 the time is defaulted to midni!ht3 or 22:22:22
in military time$ The S"SDATE function returns the current system date and time from the
database server to which you#re currently connected$
$ote The default date format is specified usin! the initiali@ation parameter
/LS>,.TE>D"+).T$ The value of this parameter can be chan!ed in the
user#s environment or in the user#s session$
Operators and Literals
.n operator is a manipulator that is applied to a data item in order to return a result$ Special
characters represent different operations in "racle &M represents addition3 for example'$
"perators are commonly used in all pro!rammin! environments3 and you should already be
familiar with the followin! operators3 which may be classified into two types:
2nar( operator A #nar$ operator has only one operand$ Examples are M1 and 8H$ They
have the format KoperatorLKoperandL$
Binar( operator . binar$ operator has two operands$ Examples are HME and :NH$ They
have the format Koperand%LKoperatorLKoperand2L$ 9ou can insert spaces between the
operand and operator to improve readability$
,rithmetic Operators
Arit&'etic operators operate on numeric values$ Table 1$E shows the various arithmetic operators
in "racle and how to use them$
Table &'7: ,rithmetic Operators
Operator 6urpose Example
M 8 Anary operators: Ase to represent positive or ne!ative data item$
Dor positive items3 the M is optional$
81FE$EE
M .ddition: Ase to add two data items or expressions$ 1ME
8 Subtraction: Ase to find the difference between two data items or
expressions$
12$E81
N )ultiplication: Ase to multiply two data items or expressions$ HN12
6 ,ivision: Ase to divide a data item or expression with another$ G$E61
$ote ,o not use two hyphens &88' to represent double ne!ation? use a space or
parenthesis in between3 as in 8&812'$ Two hyphens represent the be!innin! of a
comment in SQL$
Concatenation Operator
The concatenation operator is used to concatenate or oin two character &text' strin!s$ The result
of concatenation is another character strin!$ Concatenatin! a @ero8len!th strin! ,, or a NULL
with another strin! results in a strin!3 not a NULL$ Two vertical bars 00 are used as the
concatenation operator$
;ere are two examples:
,%racle1i, 00 ,Data2a3e, results in ,%racle1iData2a3e,
,%racle1i , 00 ,Data2a3e, results in ,%racle1i Data2a3e,
Set Operators
Set operators are used in compound queries5queries that combine the results of two queries$
The number of columns selected in both queries must be the same$ Table 1$H lists the set
operators and how to use them$ Set operators are discussed in detail in Chapter H3 *7oins and
Subqueries$*
Table &'8: Set Operators
Operator 6urpose
A/0"/ +eturns all rows from either queries? no duplicate rows
A/0"/ .LL +eturns all rows from either query3 includin! duplicates
0/TE+SECT +eturns distinct rows that are returned by both queries
)0/AS +eturns distinct rows that are returned by the first query but not returned by
the second$
Operator 6recedence
0f multiple operators are used in the same expression3 "racle evaluates them in the order o(
precedence set in the database en!ine$ "perators with hi!her precedence are evaluated before
operators with lower precedence$ "perators with the same precedence are evaluated from left to
ri!ht$ Table 1$J lists the precedence$
Table &'9: SQL Operator 6recedence
6recedence Operator 6urpose
1
4 5
Anary operators3 ne!ation
1 6 / )ultiplication3 division
F
5 4 00
.ddition3 subtraction3 concatenation
Asin! parentheses chan!es the order of precedence$ The innermost parenthesis is evaluated
first$ 0n the expression 1M1NF3 the result is :3 because 1NF is evaluated first and the result is added
to 1$ 0n the expression &1M1'NF3 1M1 is evaluated first3 and the result is multiplied by F3 !ivin! ($
Literals
Literals are values that represent a fixed value &constant'$ There are four types of literals:
Text &or character'
0nte!er
/umber
0nterval
9ou can use literals within many of the SQL functions3 expressions3 and conditions$
Text
The text literal must be enclosed in sin!le quotation mar4s$ .ny character between the quotation
mar4s is considered part of the text value$ "racle treats all text literals as thou!h they were
C;.+ datatypes$ The maximum len!th of a text literal is E222 bytes$ Sin!le quotation mar4s can
be included in the literal text value by precedin! it with another sin!le quotation mar4$ ;ere are
some examples of text literals:
#The Quic4 -rown Dox#
#That man##s suit is blac4#
#.nd 0 quote: *This will never do$* #
#118SE%81221#
Integer
0nte!er literals can be any number of numerals3 excludin! a decimal separator and up to FG di!its
lon!$ ;ere are two examples:
1E
8EHJ
Number
/umber literals can include scientific notation3 as well as di!its and the decimal separator$ ;ere
are some examples:
1E
8FEH$JH
1FE812
Interval
0nterval literals specify a period of time in terms of years and months or in terms of days and
seconds$ These literals correspond to the "racle datatype 0/TE+B.L 9E.+ T" )"/T; and
0/TE+B.L ,.9 T" SEC"/,$ These datatypes will be discussed in more detail in Chapter :$
ritin! Simple Queries
. )#er$ is a request for information from the database tables$ Simple queries are those that
retrieve data from a sin!le table$ The basis of a query is the SELE&T statement$ Queries usin!
multiple tables are discussed in later chapters$
2sin! the SELECT Statement
The SELE&T statement is the most commonly used statement in SQL$ 0t allows you to retrieve
information already stored in the database$ The statement be!ins with the 4eyword SELE&T3
followed by the column names whose data you want to query$ 9ou can either select information
from all the columns &denoted by 6' or name specific columns in the SELE&T clause to retrieve
data$ The R%( clause provides the name of the table3 view3 or materiali@ed view to use in the
query$ These obects are discussed in detail in later chapters$ Dor simplicity3 we will use tables for
the rest of this chapter$
Let#s use the 7"-S table defined in the ;+ schema of the "racle(i seed database created durin!
installation$ The 7"-S table definition is provided in Table 1$:$
Table &':: ;OBS Table #e<inition
Column $ame #atat(pe len!th
7"->0, B.+C;.+1 12
7"->T0TLE B.+C;.+1 F2
Table &':: ;OBS Table #e<inition
Column $ame #atat(pe len!th
)0/>S.L.+9 /A)-E+ J32
).O>S.L.+9 /A)-E+ J32
The simple form of a SELE&T statement to retrieve all the columns and rows from the 7"-S table
is as follows &only part of output result set is shown here':
S7L8 SELE&T 6 R%( 9o23:
;%!/ID ;%!/TITLE (IN/SALAR" (A*/SALAR"
4444444444 4444444444444444444444444444444 4444444444 4444444444
AD/#RES #re3ident <==== >====
AD/+# Admini3tration +ice #re3ident ?@=== A====
AD/ASST Admini3tration A33i3tant A=== B===
I/()R inance (anaCer D<== ?B===
I/A&&%UNT Accountant ><== 1===
E E E E E
IT/#R%) #roCrammer >=== ?====
('/(AN (arFetinC (anaCer 1=== ?@===
('/RE# (arFetinC Repre3entatiGe >=== 1===
HR/RE# Human Re3ource3 Repre3entatiGe >=== 1===
#R/RE# #u2lic Relation3 Repre3entatiGe >@== ?=@==
?1 row3 3elected.
S7L8
$ote The 4eywords3 column names3 and table names are case insensitive$ "nly
literals enclosed in sin!le quotation mar4s are case sensitive in "racle$
;ow do you list only the ob title and minimum salary from this tableP 0f you 4now the column
names and the table name3 writin! the query is simple$ ;ere3 the column names are 7"->T0TLE
and )0/>S.L.+93 and the table name is 7"-S$ Execute the query by endin! the query with a
semicolon$ 0n SQLN%lus3 you can execute the query by enterin! a slash on a line by itself or by
usin! the RUN command$
S7L8 SELE&T 9o2/titleH min/3alarI R%( 9o23:
;%!/TITLE (IN/SALAR"
44444444444444444444444444444444444 4444444444
#re3ident <====
Admini3tration +ice #re3ident ?@===
Admini3tration A33i3tant A===
inance (anaCer D<==
Accountant ><==
AccountinC (anaCer D<==
#u2lic Accountant ><==
E E E E E
#roCrammer >===
(arFetinC (anaCer 1===
(arFetinC Repre3entatiGe >===
Human Re3ource3 Repre3entatiGe >===
#u2lic Relation3 Repre3entatiGe >@==
?1 row3 3elected.
S7L8
/otice that the numeric column &)0/>S.L.+9' is ali!ned to the ri!ht and the character column
&7"->T0TLE' is ali!ned to the left$ ,oes it seem that the column headin! )0/>S.L.+9 should
be more meanin!fulP <ell3 you can provide a col#'n alias to appear in the query results$
Column ,lias $ames
The column alias name is defined next to the column name with a space or by usin! the 4eyword
AS$ 0f you want a space in the column alias name3 you must enclose it in double quotation mar4s$
The case is preserved only when the alias name is enclosed in double quotation mar4s?
otherwise3 the display will be uppercase$ The followin! example demonstrates usin! an alias
name for the column headin! in the previous query$
S7L8 SELE&T 9o2/title AS TitleH
< min/3alarI AS J(inimum SalarIJ R%( 9o23
S7L8 /
TITLE (inimum SalarI
44444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444444444
#re3ident <====
Admini3tration +ice #re3ident ?@===
Admini3tration A33i3tant A===
inance (anaCer D<==
Accountant ><==
AccountinC (anaCer D<==
E E E E E
#roCrammer >===
(arFetinC (anaCer 1===
(arFetinC Repre3entatiGe >===
Human Re3ource3 Repre3entatiGe >===
#u2lic Relation3 Repre3entatiGe >@==
?1 row3 3elected.
S7L8
0n this listin!3 the column alias name Title appears in all capital letters because we did not
enclose it in double quotation mar4s$
$ote The asteris4 &6' is used to select all columns in the table$ This is very useful
when you do not 4now the column names or when you are too la@y to type all
of the column names$
Ensurin! 2ni=ueness
The D*ST*NCT 4eyword &or UNI7UE 4eyword' followin! SELE&T ensures that the resultin! rows
are unique$ Aniqueness is verified a!ainst the complete row3 not the first column$ 0f you need to
find the unique departments in the E)%L"9EES table3 issue this query:
S7L8 SELE&T DISTIN&T department/id R%( emploIee3:
DE#ART(ENT/ID
4444444444444
?=
<=
A=
>=
@=
B=
K=
D=
1=
?==
??=
?< row3 3elected.
S7L8
To demonstrate that uniqueness is enforced across the row3 let#s do one more query usin! the
SELE&T DISTIN&T clause$ /otice ,E%.+T)E/T>0, repeatin! for each 7"->0, value$
S7L8 SELE&T DISTIN&T department/idH 9o2/id R%( emploIee3:
DE#ART(ENT/ID ;%!/ID
4444444444444 4444444444
?= AD/ASST
<= ('/(AN
<= ('/RE#
A= #U/&LER'
A= #U/(AN
>= HR/RE#
@= SH/&LER'
@= ST/&LER'
@= ST/(AN
E E E E E
?== I/A&&%UNT
?== I/()R
??= A&/A&&%UNT
??= A&/()R
SA/RE#
<= row3 3elected.
S7L8
$ote SELE&T 6 R%( TA!: shows all the tables and views in your schema$
The #2,L Table
The DUAL table is a dummy table available to all users in the database$ 0t has one column and
one row$ The ,A.L table is used to select system variables or to evaluate an expression$ ;ere
are a few examples:
S7L8 SELE&T S"SDATEH USER R%( dual:
S"SDATE USER
444444444 444444444444444444444444444444
?D4SE#4=< HR
S7L8 SELE&T ,I,,m , 00 u3er 00 , TodaI i3 , 00 S"SDATE
< R%( dual:
,I,,(,00USER00,T%DA"IS,00S"SDATE
/
44444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444
I,m HR TodaI i3 ?D4SE#4=<
S7L8
$ote S"SDATE and USER are built8in functions that provide information about the
environment$ These functions are discussed in Chapter F3 *Sin!le8+ow
Dunctions$*
Limitin! "o>s
. +HERE clause in the SELE&T statement is used to limit the number of rows processed$ .ny
lo!ical conditions of the $HERE clause use the comparison operators$ +ows are returned or
operated upon where the data satisfies the lo!ical condition&s' of the $HERE clause$ 9ou can use
column names or expressions in the $HERE clause3 but not column alias names$ The $HERE
clause follows the R%( clause in the SELE&T statement$
;ow do you list the employees who wor4 for department (2P The followin! example shows how
to limit the query to only the records belon!in! to department (2 by usin! a $HERE clause$
S7L8SELE&T fir3t/name 00,,00la3t/name JNameJH
< department/id
A R%( emploIee3
> $HERE department/id -1=:
Name DE#ART(ENT/ID
4444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 4444444444444
SteGen 'inC 1=
Neena 'ochhar 1=
LeL De Haan 1=
S7L8
$ote 9ou need not include the column names in the SELE&T clause to use them in
the $HERE clause$
Barious operators available in "racle(i can be used in the $HERE clause to limit the number of
rows$
Comparison Operators
Co'parison operators compare two values or expressions and !ive a -oolean result of TRUE3
ALSE3 or NULL$ The comparison operators include those that test for equality3 inequality3 less
than3 !reater than3 and value comparisons$
= (Equality)
The - operator tests for equality$ The test evaluates to TRUE if the values or results of an
expression on both sides of the operator are equal$
S7L8SELE&T fir3t/name 00,,00la3t/name JNameJH
< department/id
A R%( emploIee3
> $HERE department/id -1=:
Name DE#ART(ENT/ID
4444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 4444444444444
SteGen 'inC 1=
Neena 'ochhar 1=
LeL De Haan 1=
S7L8
!=, !, "r #= (Inequality)
9ou can use any one of these three operators to test for inequality$ The test evaluates to TRUE if
the values on both sides of the operator do not match$ The operator .8 wor4s on all platforms3
the use of other operators for inequality chec4in! is not supported in all platforms$
S7L8SELE&T fir3t/name 00,,00la3t/name JNameJH
< commi33ion/pct
A R%( emploIee3
> $HERE commi33ion/pct M-.A@:
Name &%((ISSI%N/#&T
444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444444444
;ohn Ru33ell .>
'aren #artner3 .A
Al2erto ErraNuriN .A
)erald &am2rault .A
E E E E E E
;acF LiGinC3ton .<
'im2erelI )rant .?@
&harle3 ;ohn3on .?
A< row3 3elected.
S7L8
(Less T$an)
The . operator evaluates to TRUE if the left side &expression or value' of the operator is less than
the ri!ht side of the operator$
S7L8SELE&T fir3t/name 00,,00la3t/name JNameJH
< commi33ion/pct
A R%( emploIee3
> $HERE commi33ion/pct ..?@:
Name &%((ISSI%N/#&T
444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444444444
(attea (arGin3 .?
DaGid Lee .?
Sundar Ande .?
Amit !anda .?
Sundita 'umar .?
&harle3 ;ohn3on .?
B row3 3elected.
S7L8
! (%"re T$an)
The 8 operator evaluates to TRUE if the left side &expression or value' of the operator is !reater
than the ri!ht side of the operator$
S7L8SELE&T fir3t/name 00,,00la3t/name JNameJH
< commi33ion/pct
A R%( emploIee3
> $HERE commi33ion/pct 8.A@:
Name &%((ISSI%N/#&T
444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444444444
;ohn Ru33ell .>
S7L8
= (Less T$an "r Equal t")
The .- operator evaluates to TRUE if the left side &expression or value' of the operator is less
than or equal to the ri!ht side of the operator$
S7L8SELE&T fir3t/name 00,,00la3t/name JNameJH
< commi33ion/pct
A R%( emploIee3
> $HERE commi33ion/pct .-.?@:
Name &%((ISSI%N/#&T
444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444444444
%liGer TuGault .?@
Danielle )reene .?@
(attea (arGin3 .?
DaGid Lee .?
Sundar Ande .?
Amit !anda .?
$illiam Smith .?@
EliNa2eth !ate3 .?@
Sundita 'umar .?
'im2erelI )rant .?@
&harle3 ;ohn3on .?
?? row3 3elected.
S7L8
!= (&reater T$an "r Equal t")
The 8- operator evaluates to TRUE if the left side &expression or value' of the operator is !reater
than or equal to the ri!ht side of the operator$
S7L8SELE&T fir3t/name 00,,00la3t/name JNameJH
< commi33ion/pct
A R%( emploIee3
> $HERE commi33ion/pct 8-.A@:
Name &%((ISSI%N/#&T
444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444444444
;ohn Ru33ell .>
;anette 'inC .A@
#atricF SullI .A@
Allan (cEwen .A@
S7L8
,$? "r SO3E
The AN" or S%(E operators are used to compare a value to each value in a list or subquery$ The
AN" and S%(E operators always must be preceded by the comparison operators -3 M-3 .3 83 .-3
or 8-$
S7L8SELE&T fir3t/name 00,,00la3t/name JNameJH
< department/id
A R%( emploIee3
> $HERE department/id .-AN" O?=H?@H<=H<@P:
Name DE#ART(ENT/ID
4444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 4444444444444
;ennifer $halen ?=
(ichael Hart3tein <=
#at aI <=
S7L8
,LL
The ALL operator is used to compare a value to every value in a list or sub8query$ The ALL
operator must always be preceded by the comparison operators -3 M-3 .3 83 .-3 or 8-$
S7L8SELE&T fir3t/name 00,,00la3t/name JNameJH
< department/id
A R%( emploIee3
> $HERE department/id 8-ALL OD=H1=H?==P:
Name DE#ART(ENT/ID
4444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 4444444444444
NancI )reen2erC ?==
Daniel aGiet ?==
;ohn &hen ?==
I3mael Sciarra ?==
;o3e (anuel Urman ?==
Lui3 #opp ?==
ShelleI HiCCin3 ??=
$illiam )ietN ??=
D row3 3elected.
S7L8
Dor all the comparison operators discussed3 if one side of the operator is NULL3 the result is
NULL$
Lo!ical Operators
Logical operators are used to combine the results of two comparison conditions to produce a
sin!le result or to reverse the result of a sin!le comparison$ N%T3 AND3 and %R are the lo!ical
operators$
$OT
The N%T operator is used to reverse the result$ 0t evaluates to TRUE if the operand is ALSE3
evaluates to ALSE if the operand is TRUE$ N%T returns NULL if the operand is NULL$
S7L8 SELE&T fir3t/nameH department/id
< R%( emploIee3
A6 $HERE not Odepartment/id 8- A=P:
IRST/NA(E DE#ART(ENT/ID
44444444444444444444 4444444444444
;ennifer ?=
(ichael <=
#at <=
S7L8
,$#
The AND operator evaluates to TRUE if both operands are TRUE$ 0t evaluates to ALSE if either
operand is ALSE$ "therwise3 it returns NULL$
S7L8 SELE&T fir3t/nameH 3alarI
< R%( emploIee3
A $HERE la3t/name - ,Smith,
>6 AND 3alarI 8 K@==:
IRST/NA(E SALAR"
44444444444444444444 4444444444
Lind3eI D===
S7L8
O"
The %R operator evaluates to TRUE if either operand is TRUE$ 0t evaluates to ALSE if both
operands are ALSE$ "therwise3 it returns NULL$
S7L8 SELE&T fir3t/nameH la3t/name
< R%( emploIee3
A $HERE fir3t/name - ,'ellI,
>6 %R la3t/name - ,Smith,:
IRST/NA(E LAST/NA(E
44444444444444444444 4444444444444444444444444
Lind3eI Smith
$illiam Smith
'ellI &hunC
S7L8
L"gi'al (perat"r Trut$ Tables
The followin! tables can be used as truth tables for the three lo!ical operators$
./, Truth Table

,$# T"2E %,LSE $2LL
T"2E TRUE ALSE NULL
%,LSE ALSE ALSE ALSE
$2LL NULL ALSE NULL
"+ Truth Table

O" T"2E %,LSE $2LL
T"2E TRUE TRUE TRUE
%,LSE TRUE ALSE NULL
$2LL TRUE NULL NULL
/"T Truth Table

$OT

T"2E
ALSE
%,LSE
TRUE
$2LL
NULL
Other Operators
0n this section3 we will discuss all the operators that can be used in the $HERE clause of the SQL
statement that were not discussed earlier$
IN and N(T IN
The IN and N%T IN operators are used to test a membership condition$ IN is equivalent to the
-AN" operator3 which evaluates to TRUE if the value exists in the list or the result set from a
subquery$ The N%T IN operator is equivalent to the M-ALL operator3 which evaluates to TRUE if
the value does not exist in the list or the result set from a subquery$ The followin! examples
demonstrate the use of these two operators$
S7L8 SELE&T fir3t/nameH la3t/nameH department/id
< R%( emploIee3
A $HERE department/id IN O?=H <=H 1=P:
IRST/NA(E LAST/NA(E DE#ART(ENT/ID
44444444444444444444 4444444444444444444444444 4444444444
SteGen 'inC 1=
Neena 'ochhar 1=
LeL De Haan 1=
;ennifer $halen ?=
(ichael Hart3tein <=
#at aI <=
B row3 3elected.
S7L8 SELE&T fir3t/nameH la3t/nameH department/id
< R%( emploIee3
A $HERE department/id N%T IN
>6 O?=H A=H >=H @=H B=H D=H 1=H ??=H ?==P
S7L8 /
IRST/NA(E LAST/NA(E DE#ART(ENT/ID
44444444444444444444 4444444444444444444444 4444444444444
(ichael Hart3tein <=
#at aI <=
Hermann !aer K=
S7L8
$ote <hen usin! the N%T IN operator3 if any value in the list or the result returned
from the subquery is NULL3 the query returns no rows$ Dor example3
la3t/name not in O,Smith,3 ,Thoma3,3 NULLP evaluates to
la3t/name M- ,Smith, AND la3t/name M- ,Thoma3, AND
la3t/name M- NULL$ .ny comparison on a NULL value results in NULL$
)ET*EEN
The !ET$EEN operator is used to test a ran!e$ !ET$EEN A AND ! evaluates to TRUE if the
value is !reater than or equal to A and less than or equal to B$ 0f N%T is used3 the result is the
reverse$ The followin! example lists all the employees whose salary is between QH3222 and
QJ3222$
S7L8 SELE&T fir3t/nameH la3t/nameH 3alarI
< R%( emploIee3
A6 $HERE 3alarI !ET$EEN @=== AND B===:
IRST/NA(E LAST/NA(E SALAR"
44444444444444444444 4444444444444444444444444 4444444444
!ruce Ern3t B===
'eGin (ourCo3 @D==
#at aI B===
S7L8
E+ISTS
The E*ISTS operator is always followed by a subquery in parentheses$ &Dor more information on
subqueries3 refer to Chapter H$' E*ISTS evaluates to TRUE if the subquery returns at least one
row$ The followin! example lists the employees who wor4 for .dministration department$
S7L8 SELE&T la3t/nameH fir3t/nameH department/id
< R%( emploIee3 e
A $HERE E*ISTS O3elect ? R%( department3 d
> $HERE d.department/id - e.department/id
@6 AND d.department/name - ,Admini3tration,P:
LAST/NA(E IRST/NA(E DE#ART(ENT/ID
4444444444444444444444 44444444444444444444 4444444444444
$halen ;ennifer ?=
S7L8
IS N,LL and IS N(T N,LL
To find the NULL values or N%T NULL values3 you need to use the IS NULL operator$ The - or M
- operator will not wor4 with NULL values$ IS NULL evaluates to TRUE if the value is NULL. IS
N%T NULL evaluates to TRUE if the value is not NULL$ To find the employees who do not have a
department assi!ned3 use this query:
S7L8 SELE&T la3t/nameH department/id
< R%( emploIee3
A $HERE department/id IS NULL:
LAST/NA(E DE#ART(ENT/ID
4444444444444444444444444 4444444444444
)rant
S7L8
LI-E
Asin! the LI'E operator3 you can perform pattern matchin!$ The pattern8search character Q is
used to match any character and any number of characters$ The pattern8search character > is
used to match any sin!le character$ 0f you are loo4in! for the actual character Q or > in the pattern
search3 you can include an escape c&aracter in the search strin! and notify "racle usin! the
ES&A#E clause$
The followin! query searches for all employees whose first name be!ins with S# and last name
does not be!in with S$
S7L8 SELE&T fir3t/nameH la3t/name
< R%( emploIee3
A $HERE fir3t/name LI'E ,SuQ,
>6 AND la3t/name N%T LI'E ,SQ,:
IRST/NA(E LAST/NA(E
44444444444444444444 4444444444444444444444444
Sundar Ande
Sundita 'umar
Su3an (aGri3
S7L8
The followin! example loo4s for all 7"->0, values that be!in with AC,$ Since > is a pattern8
matchin! character3 we must qualify it with an escape character$ "racle does not have a default
escape character$
S7L8 SELE&T 9o2/idH 9o2/title
< R%( 9o23
A $HERE 9o2/id liFe ,A&R/Q, ES&A#E ,R,:
;%!/ID ;%!/TITLE
4444444444 44444444444444444444444444444444444
A&/()R AccountinC (anaCer
A&/A&&%UNT #u2lic Accountant
S7L8
Table 1$G shows more examples of pattern matchin!$
Table &'@: 6attern*3atchin! Examples
6attern 3atches #oes $ot 3atch
RS"/0>1 S"/0C13
ALT+.S"/011
S"/0CS13 S"/0F1H
>0)E T0)E3 L0)E 0)E3 C+0)E
SRS"/0>1 ESC.%E #S# RS"/0C13 RS"/0(1 S"/0C13 ALT+.S"/0C1
R)ES> > >LE ESC.%E #S# C+0)E>D0LE3
T0)E>%"LE
C+0)ES%0LE3 C+0)E>.LE
<< Previous Top of page Next >>
Sortin! "o>s
The SELE&T statement may include the %RDER !" clause to sort the resultin! rows in a specific
order based on the data in the columns$ <ithout the %RDER !" clause3 there is no !uarantee that
the rows will be returned in any specific order$ 0f an %RDER !" clause is specified3 by default3 the
rows are returned by ascendin! order of the columns specified$ 0f you need to sort the rows in
descendin! order3 use the 4eyword DES& next to the column name$ 9ou may specify the 4eyword
AS& to explicitly state to sort in ascendin! order3 althou!h it is the default$ The %RDER !" clause
follows the R%( clause and $HERE clause in the SELE&T statement$
To retrieve all employee names of department (2 from the E)%L"9EES table ordered by last
name3 use this query:
S7L8 SELE&T fir3t/name 00 , , 00 la3t/name JEmploIee NameJ
< R%( emploIee3
A $HERE department/id - 1=
>6 %RDER !" la3t/name:
EmploIee Name
4444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444
LeL De Haan
SteGen 'inC
Neena 'ochhar
S7L8
9ou can specify more than one column in the %RDER !" clause$ 0n this case3 the result set will be
ordered by the first column in the %RDER !" clause3 then the second3 and so on$ Columns or
expressions not used in the SELE&T clause can also be used in the %RDER !" clause$ The
followin! example shows the use of DES& and multiple columns in the %RDER !" clause$
S7L8 SELE&T fir3t/nameH hire/dateH 3alarIH manaCer/id mid
< R%( emploIee3
A $HERE department/id IN O??=H?==P
>6 %RDER !" mid AS&H 3alarI DES&H hire/date:
IRST/NA(E HIRE/DATE SALAR" (ID
44444444444444444444 444444444 4444444444 4444444444
ShelleI =K4;UN41> ?<=== ?=?
NancI ?K4AU)41> ?<=== ?=?
Daniel ?B4AU)41> 1=== ?=D
;ohn <D4SE#41K D<== ?=D
;o3e (anuel =K4(AR41D KD== ?=D
I3mael A=4SE#41K KK== ?=D
Lui3 =K4DE&411 B1== ?=D
$illiam =K4;UN41> DA== <=@
D row3 3elected.
S7L8
$ote 9ou can use column alias names in the "+,E+ -9 clause$
0f the DISTIN&T 4eyword is used in the SELE&T clause3 you can use only those columns listed in
the SELE&T clause in the %RDER !" clause$ 0f you have used any operators on columns in the
SELE&T clause3 the %RDER !" clause also should use them$ ;ere is an example:
S7L8 SELE&T DISTIN&T ,ReCion , 00 reCion/id
< R%( countrie3
A %RDER !" reCion/id:
%RDER !" reCion/id
6
ERR%R at line A:
%RA4=?K1?: not a SELE&Ted eLpre33ion
S7L8 SELE&T DISTIN&T ,ReCion , 00 reCion/id
< R%( countrie3
A %RDER !" ,ReCion , 00 reCion/id:
,RE)I%N,00RE)I%N/ID
44444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444
ReCion ?
ReCion <
ReCion A
ReCion >
S7L8
/ot only can you use the column name or column alias to sort the result set of a query3 you can
also sort the results by specifyin! the position of the column in the SELE&T clause$ This is very
useful if you have a len!thy expression in the SELE&T clause and you need the results sorted on
this value$ The followin! example sorts the result set usin! positional values$
S7L8 SELE&T fir3t/nameH hire/dateH 3alarIH manaCer/id mid
< R%( emploIee3
A $HERE department/id IN O??=H?==P
>6 %RDER !" >H <H A:
IRST/NA(E HIRE/DATE SALAR" (ID
44444444444444444444 444444444 4444444444 4444444444
ShelleI =K4;UN41> ?<=== ?=?
NancI ?K4AU)41> ?<=== ?=?
Daniel ?B4AU)41> 1=== ?=D
;ohn <D4SE#41K D<== ?=D
I3mael A=4SE#41K KK== ?=D
;o3e (anuel =K4(AR41D KD== ?=D
Lui3 =K4DE&411 B1== ?=D
$illiam =K4;UN41> DA== <=@
D row3 3elected.
S7L8
$ote The %RDER !" clause cannot have more than 1HH columns or expressions$
Sortin! N,LLs
-y default3 in an ascendin! order sort3 the NULL values appear at the bottom of the result set? that
is3 NULLs are sorted hi!her$ Dor descendin! order sorts3 NULL values appear at the top of the
result set5a!ain3 NULL values are sorted hi!her$ The default behavior can be chan!ed by usin!
the NULLS IRST or NULLS LAST 4eywords3 alon! with the column names &or alias names or
positions'$ The followin! examples demonstrate the use of NULLS IRST in an ascendin! sort$
S7L8 SELE&T la3t/nameH commi33ion/pct
< R%( emploIee3
A $HERE la3t/name LI'E ,RQ,
>6 %RDER !" commi33ion/pct AS&H la3t/name DES&:
LAST/NA(E &%((ISSI%N/#&T
4444444444444444444444444 44444444444444
Ru33ell .>
RoCer3
RaphaelI
Ra93
S7L8 SELE&T la3t/nameH commi33ion/pct
< R%( emploIee3
A $HERE la3t/name LI'E ,RQ,
>6 %RDER !" commi33ion/pct AS& NULLS IRSTH la3t/name
DES&:
LAST/NA(E &%((ISSI%N/#&T
4444444444444444444444444 44444444444444
RoCer3
RaphaelI
Ra93
Ru33ell .>
S7L8
"eal orld Scenario:
h( #o e Limit and Sort "o>sA
The power of an +,-)S and SQL lies in !ettin! exactly what we want from the database$ The
sample tables we considered under the ;+ schema are small3 so even if you !et all the
information from the table3 you can still find the specific data that you#re see4in!$ -ut what if you
have a hu!e transaction table3 with millions of rowsP
9ou 4now how easy it is to loo4 throu!h a catalo! in the library to find a particular boo43 or to
search throu!h an alphabetical listin! to find your name$ <hen queryin! a lar!e table3 ma4e sure
you 4now what you want$
The $HERE clause lets you query for exactly what you#re loo4in! for$ The %RDER !" clause lets
you sort rows$ The followin! steps can be used as an approach to query data from sin!le table$
1$ Tnow the columns of the table$ 9ou may issue the DES&RI!E command to !et the
column names and datatype$ Anderstand which column has what information$
1$ %ic4 the column names you are interested in includin! in the query$ Ase these columns in
the SELE&T clause$
F$ 0dentify the column or columns where you can limit the rows or the columns that can
show you only the rows of interest$ Ase these columns in the $HERE clause of the query3
and supply the values as well as the appropriate operator$
E$ 0f the query returns more than few rows3 you may be interested in havin! them sorted in a
particular order$ Specify the column names and the sortin! order in the %RDER !" clause
of the query$
Let#s consider a table named %A+C;.SE>"+,E+S$ Dirst3 use the DES&RI!E command to list
the columns$
S7L8 DES&RI!E purcha3e/order3
Name NullS TIpe
444444444444444444444 44444444 44444444444444
%RDERT N%T NULL NU(!ER O?BP
%RDER/DT N%T NULL DATE
&UST%(ERT N%T NULL +AR&HAR< O?<P
!A&'/%RDER &HAR O?P
%RD/STATUS &HAR O?P
T%TAL/A(T N%T NULL NU(!ER O?DH>P
SALES/TA* NU(!ER O?<H<P
The obective of the query is to find the completed orders that do not have any sales tax$ 9ou
want to see the order number and total amount of the order$ The correspondin! columns that
appear in the SELE&T clause are "+,E+U and T"T.L>.)T$ Since you#re interested in only the
rows with no sales tax in the completed orders3 the columns to appear in the $HERE clause are
S.LES>T.O &chec4in! for @ero sales tax' and "+,>ST.TAS &chec4in! for completeness of
order3 status code C'$ Since the query returns multiple rows3 you want to order them by the order
number$ /otice that the S.LES>T.O column can be NULL3 so you want to ma4e sure that you
!et all rows that have a sales tax amount of @ero or NULL$
SELE&T orderTH total/amt
R%( purcha3e/order3
$HERE ord/3tatu3 - ,&,
AND O3ale3/taL IS NULL
%R 3ale3/taL - =P
%RDER !" orderT:
.n alternative is to use the N+L function to deal with the NULL values$ This function is discussed
in Chapter F$
2sin! Expressions
.n e-pression is a combination of one or more values3 operators3 and SQL functions that result in
a value$ The result of an expression !enerally assumes the datatype of its components$ The
simple expression HMJ evaluates to 11 and assumes a datatype of /A)-E+$ Expressions can
appear in the followin! clauses:
The SELE&T clause of queries
The $HERE clause3 %RDER !" clause3 and HA+IN) clause
The +ALUES clause of the INSERT statement
The SET clause of the U#DATE statement
<e will review the syntax of usin! these statements in later chapters$
9ou can include parentheses to !roup and evaluate expressions3 and then apply the result to the
rest of the expression$ <hen parentheses are used3 the expression in the innermost parentheses
is evaluated first$ ;ere is an example of a compound expression: &&1NE'6&FM1''N12$ The result of
1NE is divided by the result of FM1$ Then the result from the division operation is multiplied by 12$
The C.SE Expression
The CASE expression is new to "racle(i and can be used to derive the 0DVT;E/VELSE lo!ic
in SQL$ ;ere is the syntax of the simple &ASE expression:
&ASE .expression8
$HEN .compare value8 THEN .return value8 E E E
UELSE .return value8V
END
The &ASE expression be!ins with the 4eyword &ASE and ends with the 4eyword END$ The ELSE
clause is optional3 the $HEN clause can be repeated for 11G times$ The followin! query displays a
description for the +E=0"/>0, column based on the value$
S7L8 SELE&T countrI/nameH reCion/idH
< &ASE reCion/id $HEN ? THEN ,Europe,
A $HEN < THEN ,America,
> $HEN A THEN ,A3ia,
@ ELSE ,%ther, END &ontinent
B R%( countrie3
K6 $HERE countrI/name LI'E ,IQ,:
&%UNTR"/NA(E RE)I%N/ID &%NTINE
44444444444444444444 4444444444 4444444
I3rael > %ther
India A A3ia
ItalI ? Europe
S7L8
The other form of the &ASE expression is the searched &ASE3 where the values are derived
based on a condition$ This version has the followin! syntax:
&ASE
$HEN .condition8 THEN .return value8 E E E
UELSE .return value8V
END
The followin! example cate!ori@es the salary as Low3 )edium3 and ;i!h usin! a searched &ASE
expression$
S7L8 SELE&T fir3t/nameH department/idH 3alarIH
< &ASE $HEN 3alarI . B=== THEN ,Low,
A $HEN 3alarI . ?==== THEN ,(edium,
> $HEN 3alarI 8- ?==== THEN ,HiCh, END &ateCorI
@ R%( emploIee3
B $HERE department/id .- A=
K6 %RDER !" fir3t/name:
IRST/NA(E DE#ART(ENT/ID SALAR" &ATE)%
44444444444444444444 4444444444444 4444444444 444444
AleLander A= A?== Low
Den A= ??=== HiCh
)uI A= <B== Low
;ennifer ?= >>== Low
'aren A= <@== Low
(ichael <= ?A=== HiCh
#at <= B=== (edium
Shelli A= <1== Low
SiCal A= <D== Low
1 row3 3elected.
S7L8
Summar(
,ata in the "racle database is mana!ed and accessed usin! SQL$ . SELE&T statement is used
to query data from a table or view$ 9ou can limit the rows selected by usin! a $HERE clause and
order the retrieved data usin! the %RDER !" clause$
0n this chapter3 we reviewed fundamentals of SQL3 includin! datatypes and operators$ The C;.+
and B.+C;.+1 datatypes are used to store alphanumeric information$ The /A)-E+ datatype
is used to store any numeric value$ ,ate values can be stored usin! the ,.TE datatype$ "racle
has a wide ran!e of operators: arithmetic3 concatenation3 set3 comparison3 membership3 lo!ical3
pattern matchin!3 ran!e3 and existence and NULL chec4in!$
The &ASE expression is new to "racle(i$ 0t is used to brin! conditional lo!ic to SQL$
Exam Essentials
2nderstand the operators' Tnow the various operators that can be used in queries$ The
parentheses around an expression chan!e the precedence of the operators$
Bno> ho> to execute a SQL statement' 9ou can execute a SQL statement by endin!
the statement with a semicolon3 and in SQLN%lus3 by havin! the / on a line by itself or by
usin! the RUN command$
2nderstand the +E"E clause' The $HERE clause specifies a condition to limit the
number or rows returned$ 9ou cannot use column alias names in this clause$
2nderstand the O"#E" B? clause' The %RDER !" clause is used to sort the result set
from a query$ 9ou can specify ascendin! order or descendin! order for the sort$ .scendin!
order is the default$
Bno> the order o< clauses in the SELECT statement' The SELE&T statement must
have a R%( clause$ The $HERE clause3 if it exists3 should follow the R%( clause and
precede the %RDER !" clause$
Bno> the use o< the #2,L table' The ,A.L table is a dummy table in "racle with one
column and one row$ This table is commonly used to !et the values of system variables such
as S"SDATE or USER$
Bno> the characters used <or pattern matchin!' The R character is used to match
@ero or more characters$ The > character is used to match one3 and only one3 character$ The
SQL operator used with pattern8matchin! character is LI'E$
Be( Terms
-efore you ta4e the exam3 be certain you are familiar with the followin! terms:

unary operator lo!ical operators
arithmetic operators /A)-E+
binary operators operator
&ASE
order of precedence
C;.+ precision
column alias query
comparison operators scale
concatenation operator seed database
,.TE
SELE&T
DISTIN&T
"evie> Questions
&' 9ou issue the followin! query:
SELE&T 3alarI JEmploIee SalarIJ
R%( emploIee3:
;ow will the column headin! appear in the resultP
.$ E)%L"9EE S.L.+9
-$ E)%L"9EE>S.L.+9
C$ Employee Salary
,$ employee>salary
)' The E)% table is defined as follows:
E36 Table
Column #atat(pe Len!th
E)%/" /A)-E+ E
E/.)E B.+C;.+1 F2
S.L.+9 /A)-E+ 1E31
C")) /A)-E+ 1231
,E%T/" /A)-E+ 1
9ou perform the followin! two queries:
?. SELE&T empno enum2erH ename
<. R%( emp %RDER !" ?:
F$
>. SELE&T empnoH ename
@. R%( emp %RDER !" empno AS&:
J$
<hich of the followin! is trueP
.$ Statements 1 and 1 will produce the same result$
-$ Statement 1 will execute? statement 1 will return an error$
C$ Statement 1 will execute? statement 1 will return an error$
,$ Statements 1 and 1 will execute but produce different results$
5' 9ou issue the followin! SELE&T statement on the E)% table shown in question 1$
SELE&T O<==5OO3alarI6=.?P/<PP R%( emp:
<hat will happen to the result if all of the parentheses are removedP
.$ /o difference3 because the answer will always be NULL$
-$ /o difference3 because the result will be the same$
C$ The result will be hi!her$
,$ The result will be lower$
7' 0n the followin! SELE&T statement3 which component is a literalP &Choose all that apply$'
SELE&T ,EmploIee Name: , 00 ename
R%( emp where deptno - ?=:
.$ 12
-$ ename
C$ Employee /ame:
,$ WW
8' <hen you try to save FEHJ:$11HH into a column defined as /A)-E+&:31' what value is
actually savedP
.$ FEHJ:$22
-$ FEHJ:$1F
C$ FEHJ:$11
,$ FEHJ$11
9' <hat is the default display len!th of the ,.TE datatype columnP
.$ G
-$ (
C$ 1(
,$ J
:' <hat will happen if you query the E)% table shown in question 1 with the followin!P
SELE&T empnoH DISTIN&T enameH 3alarI R%( emp:
.$ E)%/"3 unique values of E/.)E and then S.L.+9 are displayed$
-$ E)%/"3 unique values of the two columns3 E/.)E and S.L.+93 are displayed$
C$ DISTIN&T is not a valid 4eyword in SQL$
,$ /o values will be displayed because the statement will return an error$
@' <hich clause in a query limits the rows selectedP
.$ %RDER !"
-$ $HERE
C$ SELE&T
,$ R%(
9' The followin! listin! shows the records of the E)% table$
E(#N% ENA(E SALAR" &%(( DE#TN%
444444444 4444444444 444444444 444444444 444444444
KAB1 S(ITH D== <=
K>11 ALLEN ?B== A== A=
K@<? $ARD ?<@= @== A=
K@BB ;%NES <1K@ <=
KB@> (ARTIN ?<@= ?>== A=
KB1D !LA'E <D@= A=
KKD< &LAR' <>@= <>@== ?=
KKDD S&%TT A=== <=
KDA1 'IN) @=== @==== ?=
KD>> TURNER ?@== = A=
KDKB ADA(S ??== <=
K1== ;A(ES 1@= A=
K1=< %RD A=== <=
K1A> (ILLER ?A== ?A=== ?=
<hen you issue the followin! query3 which value will be displayed in the first rowP
SELE&T empno
R%( emp
$HERE deptno - ?=
%RDER !" ename DES&:
.$ )0LLE+
-$ :(FE
C$ :G:J
,$ /o rows will be returned because ename cannot be used in the %RDER !" clause$
&C' +efer to the listin! of records in the E)% table in question ($ ;ow many rows will the followin!
query returnP
SELE&T 6 R%( emp $HERE ename !ET$EEN ,A, AND ,&,
.$ E
-$ 1
C$ . character column cannot be used in the !ET$EEN operator$
,$ F
&&' +efer to the E)% table in question 1$ <hen you issue the followin! query3 which line has an
errorP
SELE&T empno JEnum2erJH ename JEmpNameJ
R%( emp
$HERE deptno - ?=
AND JEnum2erJ - KKD<
%RDER !" JEnum2erJ:
.$ 1
-$ H
C$ E
,$ /o error? the statement will finish successfully$
&)' 9ou issue the followin! query:
SELE&T empnoH ename
R%( emp
$HERE empno - KKD< %R empno - KDKB:
<hich other operator can replace the %R condition in the $HERE clauseP
.$ IN
-$ !ET$EEN .. AND ..
C$ LI'E
,$ .-
E$ 8-
&5' The followin! are clauses of the SELE&T statement:
1$ $HERE
1$ R%(
F$ %RDER !"
0n which order should they appear in a queryP
.$ 13 F3 1
-$ 13 13 F
C$ 13 F3 1
,$ The order of these clauses does not matter$
&7' <hich statement searches for %+",ACT>0, values that be!in with ,0> from the "+,E+S
tableP
A. SELE&T 6 R%( %RDERS
!. $HERE #R%DU&T/ID - ,DIQ,:
C$
D. SELE&T 6 R%( %RDERS
E. $HERE #R%DU&T/ID LI'E ,DI/, ES&A#E ,R,:
D$
). SELE&T 6 R%( %RDERS
H. $HERE #R%DU&T/ID LI'E ,DIR/Q, ES&A#E ,R,:
0$
;. SELE&T 6 R%( %RDERS
'. $HERE #R%DU&T/ID LI'E ,DIR/, ES&A#E ,R,:
L$
(. SELE&T 6 R%( %RDERS
N. $HERE #R%DU&T/ID LI'E ,DI/Q, ES&A#E ,R,:
"$
&8' C"A/T+9>/.)E and +E=0"/>0, are valid column names in the C"A/T+0ES table$
<hich one of the followin! statements will execute without an errorP
A. SELE&T countrI/nameH reCion/idH
!. &ASE reCion/id - ? THEN ,Europe,H
&. reCion/id - < THEN ,America,H
D. reCion/id - A THEN ,A3ia,H
E. ELSE ,%ther, END &ontinent
. R%( countrie3:
=$
H. SELE&T countrI/nameH reCion/idH
I. &ASE OreCion/id $HEN ? THEN ,Europe,H
;. $HEN < THEN ,America,H
'. $HEN A THEN ,A3ia,H
L. ELSE ,%ther,P &ontinent
(. R%( countrie3:
/$
%. SELE&T countrI/nameH reCion/idH
#. &ASE reCion/id $HEN ? THEN ,Europe,
7. $HEN < THEN ,America,
R. $HEN A THEN ,A3ia,
S. ELSE ,%ther, END &ontinent
T. R%( countrie3:
A$
+. SELE&T countrI/nameH reCion/idH
$. &ASE reCion/id $HEN ? THEN ,Europe,
*. $HEN < THEN ,America,
". $HEN A THEN ,A3ia,
W. ELSE ,%ther, &ontinent
AA. R%( countrie3:
--$
&9' <hich special character is used to query all the columns from the table without listin! each
column by nameP
.$ Q
-$ X
C$ Y
,$ 6
&:' The E)%L"9EE table has the followin! data:
E(#/NA(E HIRE/DATE SALAR"
4444444444 444444444 4444444444
S(ITH ?K4DE&41= D==
ALLEN <=4E!41? ?B==
$ARD <<4E!41? ?<@=
;%NES =<4A#R41? @1K@
$ARDEN <D4SE#41? ?<@=
!LA'E =?4(A"41? <D@=
<hat will be the value in the first row of the result set when the followin! query is executedP
SELE&T hire/date R%( emploIee
%RDER !" 3alarIH emp/name:
.$ 218.%+8(1
-$ 1:8,EC8(2
C$ 1G8SE%8(1
,$ The query is invalid3 because you cannot have a column in the %RDER !" clause that
is not part of the SELE&T clause$
&@' <hich SQL statement will query the E)%L"9EES table for D0+ST>/.)E3 L.ST>/.)E3 and
S.L.+9 of all employees in ,E%.+T)E/T>0, E2 in the alphabetical order of last nameP
A. SELE&T fir3t/name la3t/name 3alarI
!. R%( emploIee3
&. %RDER !" la3t/name
D. $HERE department/id - >=:
E$
. SELE&T fir3t/nameH la3t/nameH 3alarI
). R%( emploIee3
H. %RDER !" la3t/name AS&
I. $HERE department/id - >=:
7$
'. SELE&T fir3t/name la3t/name 3alarI
L. R%( emploIee3
(. $HERE department/id - >=
N. %RDER !" la3t/name AS&:
"$
#. SELE&T fir3t/nameH la3t/nameH 3alarI
7. R%( emploIee3
R. $HERE department/id - >=
S. %RDER !" la3t/name:
T$
U. SELE&T fir3t/nameH la3t/nameH 3alarI
+. R%( TA!LE emploIee3
$. $HERE department/id IS >=
*. %RDER !" la3t/name AS&:
9$
&9' <hen doin! pattern matchin! usin! the LI'E operator3 which character is used as the default
escape character by "racleP
.$ W
-$ 6
C$ S
,$ There is no default escape character in "racle(i$
)C' Column alias names cannot be used in which clauseP
.$ SELE&T clause
-$ $HERE clause
C$ %RDER !" clause
,$ /one of the above
,ns>ers
&' C$ Column alias names enclosed in quotation mar4s will appear as typed$ Spaces and mixed
case appear in the column alias name only when the alias is enclosed in double quotation
mar4s$
)' .$ Statements 1 and 1 will produce the same result$ 9ou can use the column name3 column
alias3 or column position in the %RDER !" clause$ The default sort order is ascendin!$ Dor a
descendin! sort3 you must explicitly specify that order with the DES& 4eyword$
5' -$ 0n the arithmetic evaluation3 multiplication and division have precedence over addition and
subtraction$ Even if you do not include the parentheses3 3alarI6=.? will be evaluated first$
The result is then divided by 13 and its result is added to 122$
7' .3 C$ Character literals in the SQL statement are enclosed in sin!le quotation mar4s$ Literals
are concatenated usin! 00$ Employee /ame: is a character literal3 and 12 is a numeric literal$
8' -$ Since the numeric column is defined with precision : and scale 13 you can have five di!its
in the inte!er part and two di!its after the decimal point$ The di!its after the decimal are
rounded$
9' -$ The default display format of the ,.TE column is DDM!N""3 whose len!th is ($ This is
A$S$ specific and will be different as user settin!s vary$
:' ,$ DISTIN&T is used to display a unique result row3 and it should follow immediately after the
4eyword SELE&T$ Aniqueness is identified across the row3 not a sin!le column$
@' -$ The $HERE clause is used to limit the rows returned from a query$ The $HERE clause
condition is evaluated3 and rows are returned only if the result is TRUE$ The %RDER !" clause
is used to display the result in certain order$
9' -$ There are three records belon!in! to ,E%T/" 12: E)%/" :(FE &)0LLE+'3 :GF( &T0/='3
and ::G1 &CL.+T'$ <hen you sort their names by descendin! order3 )0LLE+ is the first row
to display$ 9ou can use alias names and columns that are not in the SELE&T clause in the
%RDER !" clause$
&C' ,$ ;ere3 a character column is compared a!ainst a strin! usin! the !ET$EEN operator3 which
is equivalent to ename 8- ,A, AND ename .- ,&,$ The name CL.+T will not be included
in this query3 because ,&LAR', is 8 ,&,$
&&' C$ Column alias names cannot be used in the $HERE clause$ They can be used in the %RDER
!" clause$
&)' .$ The IN operator can be used$ 9ou can write the $HERE clause as +E"E empno I$
-::@)4 :@:90D
&5' -$ The R%( clause appears after the SELE&T statement3 followed by $HERE and %RDER !"
clauses$ The R%( clause specifies the table names3 the $HERE clause limits the result set3
and the %RDER !" clause sorts the result$
&7' C$ Since > is a special pattern8matchin! character3 you need to include the ES&A#E clause in
LI'E$ The R character matches any number of characters includin! 23 and > matches a
sin!le character$
&8' C$ . &ASE expression be!ins with the 4eyword &ASE and ends with 4eyword END$
&9' ,$ .n asteris4 &6' is used to denote all columns in a table$
&:' -$ The default sortin! order for numeric column is ascendin!$ The columns are sorted first by
salary and then by name3 so the row with the lowest salary is displayed first$ 0t is perfectly
valid to use a column in the %RDER !" clause that is not part of the SELE&T clause$
&@' ,$ 0n the SELE&T clause3 the column names should be separated by commas$ .n alias name
may be provided for each column with a space or usin! the 4eyword AS$ The R%( clause
should appear after the SELE&T clause$ The $HERE clause appears after the R%( clause$
The %RDER !" clause comes after the $HERE clause$
&9' ,$ There is no default escape character in "racle(i$ 0f your search includes pattern8matchin!
characters such as > or Q3 define an escape character usin! the ES&A#E 4eyword in the LI'E
operator$
)C' -$ Column alias names cannot be used in the $HERE clause of the SQL statement$ 0n the
%RDER !" clause3 you can use the column name or alias name3 or indicate the column by its
position in the SELE&T clause$