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Databases Modifying Data with SQL Deleting Data From a Database Removing Data from All Rows in a Table

Angelus Miculek
Angelus Miculek
5,988 Points
Posted by Angelus Miculek
Angelus Miculek
5,988 Points

no asterisk

Why do use an asterisk to select all rows, but no asterisk for deleting all rows? It seems inconsistent.

2 Answers

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,236 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,236 Points

The asterisk in a SELECT statement represents columns, not rows. Rows are selected with filters like WHERE.

But columns are not selected in a DELETE statement, it always affects them all. The rows are selected with filters the same as they are in a SELECT.