From the perspective of database administrators, which of the following lists correctly represents the major types of SQL statements?

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: Data Definition Language DDL, Data Manipulation Language DML, Data Control Language DCL, Transaction Control Language TCL, and Data Query Language DQL.

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
SQL is a rich language that supports defining database structures, manipulating data, controlling access, and managing transactions. To organise this variety, database professionals classify SQL statements into several broad categories. Knowing these categories helps in understanding the role of each statement and in preparing for database certification exams.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • We need to identify the main types of SQL statements used in relational databases.
  • Common categories include DDL, DML, DCL, TCL, and sometimes DQL.
  • Answer options include both correct categories and unrelated groups of technologies.
  • The question is conceptual and focuses on high level classification.
  • We assume standard textbook terminology.


Concept / Approach:
Data Definition Language DDL covers statements that define or modify database objects such as CREATE, ALTER, and DROP. Data Manipulation Language DML includes statements that insert, update, and delete data. Data Control Language DCL is used to manage permissions through GRANT and REVOKE. Transaction Control Language TCL controls transactions with commands like COMMIT, ROLLBACK, and SAVEPOINT. Data Query Language DQL usually refers to SELECT and related clauses that retrieve data. Collectively, these categories describe how SQL interacts with both data and structure.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: List the core categories that you know from SQL study: DDL, DML, DCL, and TCL. Step 2: Recognise that many sources also identify DQL as a separate category focused on queries. Step 3: Compare these known categories with the options and look for the option that includes all of them. Step 4: Option A mentions DDL, DML, DCL, TCL, and DQL, which matches the standard classification. Step 5: Confirm that other options either list technologies outside of SQL or list only subsets of SQL syntax without categorisation.


Verification / Alternative check:
Most database training material groups SQL statements in exactly these categories, often presenting tables that map specific commands to DDL, DML, DCL, TCL, or DQL. For example, CREATE TABLE and ALTER TABLE are DDL, INSERT and UPDATE are DML, GRANT and REVOKE are DCL, COMMIT and ROLLBACK are TCL, and SELECT is DQL. This consistency across sources verifies that option A is correct.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B lists markup and data interchange formats such as HTML, XML, JSON, and YAML, which are not SQL statement categories. Option C lists several SQL commands but does not classify them into types and omits important statements. Option D uses software engineering paradigms that do not correspond to SQL categorisation. Option E lists clauses commonly used within SELECT statements but does not represent the major statement types.


Common Pitfalls:
One common mistake is to assume that SELECT and DML are synonymous, overlooking the special role of DDL, DCL, and TCL. Another pitfall is to confuse markup or configuration languages with SQL simply because they appear in database related contexts. Keeping the standard categories in mind helps avoid these errors and makes it easier to remember which commands affect structure, data, permissions, and transactions.


Final Answer:
The major types of SQL statements are Data Definition Language DDL, Data Manipulation Language DML, Data Control Language DCL, Transaction Control Language TCL, and Data Query Language DQL..

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