Understanding SQL INSERT Statements

When working with databases, the INSERT statement in SQL is used to add new records or rows into a table. It is essential for data manipulation and maintaining the integrity of the database.

Syntax of INSERT Statement

The basic syntax of the INSERT statement in SQL is as follows:

INSERT INTO tablename (fieldname1, fieldname2, fieldname3)
VALUES (value1, value2, value3);

Explaining the Syntax

• INSERT INTO tablename: This specifies the table where the data will be inserted.
• (fieldname1, fieldname2, fieldname3): These are the columns in the table where the data will be inserted.
• VALUES (value1, value2, value3): These are the corresponding values to be inserted into the specified columns.

Example

For example, let’s say we have a table named employees with columns emp_id, emp_name, and emp_salary. To insert a new employee record, the SQL query would look like this:

INSERT INTO employees (emp_id, emp_name, emp_salary)
VALUES (101, 'John Doe', 50000);

Conclusion

Mastering the INSERT statement in SQL is crucial for anyone working with databases. It allows for seamless addition of new data into tables, ensuring efficient data management.