What is the Difference Between Delete and Drop?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between the DELETE and DROP commands in SQL lies in their purpose and the level of data removal. Here are the key differences:
- DELETE: This is a Data Manipulation Language (DML) command used to remove specific rows or tuples from a table based on a given condition. It does not delete the table itself and can be rolled back if needed. The DELETE command allows for conditional deletion of records using the WHERE clause. It performs slower than the DROP and TRUNCATE commands.
- DROP: This is a Data Definition Language (DDL) command used to remove named elements of the schema, such as relations, tables, domains, or constraints. It also removes the entire data from the database. The DROP command does not allow for conditional deletion of the table and is permanent, meaning it cannot be undone. It performs faster than the DELETE command but slower than the TRUNCATE command.
In summary, the DELETE command is used to remove specific records from a table based on a condition, while the DROP command is used to remove entire tables or named elements from the database schema. The DELETE command can be rolled back, whereas the DROP command cannot.
Comparative Table: Delete vs Drop
The DELETE and DROP commands in SQL are used to remove data from a database, but they serve different purposes and have distinct characteristics. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the two commands:
| Feature | DELETE | DROP |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Removes one or more existing records from a table | Removes the entire table from the database |
| Language | Data Manipulation Language (DML) | Data Definition Language (DDL) |
| Memory Space | Does not free the allocated space of the table from memory | Removes the space allocated for the table from memory |
| Rollback | Can be rolled back, allowing deleted rows to be restored | Cannot be rolled back once executed |
| Where Clause | Uses a WHERE clause to add filtering and delete specific records | No WHERE clause is available |
In summary, the DELETE command is used to remove specific records from a table, while the DROP command is used to remove the entire table from the database. The DELETE command can be rolled back, allowing for the restoration of deleted records, while the DROP command is permanent and cannot be reversed.
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