What is SQL?

If you want to become a Data Analyst, work in MIS, or manage business data — the first skill you must learn is SQL.

But don’t worry.

Let’s understand SQL in the simplest way possible.

What is SQL?

SQL (Structured Query Language) is a language used to talk to databases.

Just like:

• We use English to talk to people
• We use SQL to talk to databases

A database stores data like:

• Customer details
• Sales reports
• Employee records
• Application data
• MIS reports

SQL helps us:

• View data
• Filter data
• Update data
• Delete data
• Add new data

What is a Database?

Before understanding SQL, we need to understand a database.

A database is simply a collection of organized data.

Example:

Imagine an Excel sheet like this:

This Excel sheet is like a small database.

But in companies, data is stored in systems like:

• MySQL
• Microsoft SQL Server
• Oracle Database
• PostgreSQL

These are called Database Management Systems (DBMS).

And SQL works inside all of them.

Why is SQL Important?

If you are working in:

• MIS
• Data Entry
• Government Projects
• ERP Systems
• Banking
• Corporate companies

SQL is used everywhere.

For example:

If your boss asks:

“Give me total sales of Raipur region for January.”

Instead of manually checking 5000 rows in Excel, you can write one SQL query and get the answer in seconds.

That is the power of SQL.

How Does SQL Work?

SQL works using queries.

A query is just a command.

For example:

SELECT * FROM employees;

SELECT * FROM employees;

This means:

Show all data from employees table.

Another example:

SELECT Name, Salary FROM employees WHERE City = 'Raipur';

SELECT Name, Salary FROM employees WHERE City = 'Raipur';

This means:

Show Name and Salary of employees who live in Raipur.

See? It’s almost like English.

Types of SQL Commands (Basic Overview)

There are 4 main types:

1️⃣ SELECT

Used to fetch data.

2️⃣ INSERT

Used to add new data.

3️⃣ UPDATE

Used to change existing data.

4️⃣ DELETE

Used to remove data.

We will learn each of these step-by-step in upcoming lessons.

Real-Life Example (For MIS Professionals)

Suppose you are working on:

• Loan applications
• Incentive data
• Sales reports
• Beneficiary list

Instead of:

• Applying filters again and again
• Using VLOOKUP many times
• Creating manual pivot reports

You can directly write SQL queries and generate reports faster.

As an MIS Officer (like many of you), SQL can reduce 3 hours of work into 10 minutes.

SQL vs Excel

If you want to move from:
MIS Executive → Data Analyst,
SQL is your first step.

Read More: Excel Tutorials

Do You Need Coding Background?

No.

You only need:

• Basic English understanding
• Logical thinking
• Practice

Even non-technical students can learn SQL easily.

What You Will Learn in This SQL Series

In Smart Tutorials, we will cover:

1. What is Database & Table?
2. What is Primary Key?
3. SELECT statement
4. WHERE clause
5. ORDER BY
6. GROUP BY
7. Aggregate functions (SUM, COUNT, AVG)
8. Joins (Very Important for Data Analyst)
9. Window Functions
10. Real MIS practice questions
11. Interview questions

Step by step.

Very simple.

Very practical.

Final Words

SQL is not just a subject.

It is a career skill.

If you master SQL:

• You can become Data Analyst
• You can move to Business Intelligence
• You can work with Power BI
• You can automate reports
• You can increase your salary

Start small.

Practice daily.

And in the next article, we will understand:

👉 What is Database and What is a Table?