Lesson 4: Retrieving All Data in SQL

Select statements are used to retrieve data from  SQL tables. The Select statement illustrated below retrieves all of the columns and rows  from the named table.


Syntax:

Select *
from tablename;

Explanation:

• A Select statement is a SQL statement that begins with the word "select."
• Select statements are used to retrieve data from SQL tables.
• An asterisk after the word "select" means retrieve all fields (columns).
• The name of the table from which you are retrieving data is specified in the From clause.
• Use a semicolon to signify the end of a SQL statement.

Example:Retrieve all of the data from the TrnVendor table.

1. In the SQL text box, type:

Select *
from TrnVendor; 

2. Execute the command by clicking on First, the Run button located to the right of the SQL text box. The results will display on the screen.
3. Use the horizontal scroll bar to move across the screen. The fields in the Vendor table will display alphabetically. Use the vertical scroll bar to move up and down the screen.
4. Click on Stop to return to the original screen.

Results:
 

VendId	Name	Add1	City	State		CurrBal	ExpAcct
TV001	Wet Off Towels	66 Keep Dry Way	Toledo	OH	1.31300E+001		7230
TV002	The Games All Here	85 Olympic Drive	Warren	NY	4.53170E+002		4110
TV003	BedMakers Linen	97 Comfort Zone	Chicago	IL	5.00000E+002		4120
TV004	Bed Room Furniture, Inc.	4 Hide A Way	Mercer	NJ	3.21700E+002		6080
TV005	Ray Block	90 Sunscreen Blvd.	Detroit	MI	1.00123E+003		7230