SQL Operators – Tutorial with Examples

SQL operators are symbols used in SQL statements to perform operations, such as mathematical or logical operations. These operations can include comparisons, arithmetics, and logical evaluations. Operators are used to manipulate and process data within a database to produce a desired result.

Types of SQL Operators

SQL operators can be broadly classified into the following categories:

  • Arithmetic Operators: These operators are used to perform mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The commonly used arithmetic operators in SQL are +, -, *, and /.
  • Comparison Operators: These operators are used to compare values and return a Boolean result (True or False). The commonly used comparison operators in SQL are =, >, <, >=, <=, <>, and !=.
  • Logical Operators: These operators are used to combine multiple conditions in a SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, or DELETE statement. The commonly used logical operators in SQL are AND, OR, and NOT.

Using SQL Operators

SQL operators are used in SQL statements to process and manipulate data. The following are some examples of how SQL operators can be used:

Arithmetic Operators

SELECT 1 + 1 AS Result; 
-- Result: 2
SELECT 10 - 5 AS Result;
-- Result: 5

SELECT 4 * 3 AS Result;
-- Result: 12

SELECT 10 / 2 AS Result;
-- Result: 5

Comparison Operators

SELECT 1 = 1 AS Result; 
-- Result: True
SELECT 2 > 1 AS Result;
-- Result: True

SELECT 1 < 2 AS Result; -- Result: True SELECT 1 >= 1 AS Result;
-- Result: True

SELECT 2 <= 1 AS Result;
-- Result: False

SELECT 1 <> 2 AS Result;
-- Result: True

SELECT 1 != 2 AS Result;
-- Result: True

Logical Operators

SELECT (1 = 1) AND (2 = 2) AS Result; 
-- Result: True
SELECT (1 = 1) OR (2 = 3) AS Result;
-- Result: True

SELECT NOT (1 = 2) AS Result;
-- Result: True

Precedence of SQL Operators

It is important to note that SQL operators have a specific order of precedence. This means that certain operations are executed before others in a SQL statement. The following is the general order of precedence for SQL operators:

  1. Arithmetic operators (highest precedence)
  2. Comparison operators
  3. Logical operators (lowest precedence)

To ensure that operations are performed in the desired order, you can use parentheses to explicitly specify the order of operations. For example:

SELECT 1 + 2 * 3 AS Result;
-- Result: 7

SELECT (1 + 2) * 3 AS Result;
-- Result: 9

In the first example, the multiplication is performed before the addition, whereas in the second example, the addition is performed first due to the parentheses. It is always a good practice to use parentheses in complex expressions to avoid any unintended results.

Conclusion

SQL operators play a critical role in SQL statements as they allow you to process and manipulate data stored in a database. Understanding the types of operators available and their order of precedence is essential for writing effective SQL statements. Whether you are working with arithmetic, comparison, or logical operators, having a solid understanding of these concepts will help you achieve the desired result from your SQL queries.

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