12/12/23, 3:09 AM What is Data Manipulation Language (DML)?

- Definition from Techopedia

Dictionary Software Development Data Manipulation Language

Data Manipulation Language

Margaret Rouse
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Last updated: 13 October, 2014

What Does Data Manipulation Language Mean?

A data manipulation language (DML) is a family of computer languages including commands permitting users to
manipulate data in a database. This manipulation involves inserting data into database tables, retrieving existing
data, deleting data from existing tables and modifying existing data. DML is mostly incorporated in SQL
databases.

Techopedia Explains Data Manipulation Language

DML resembles simple English language and enhances efficient user interaction with the system. The functional
capability of DML is organized in manipulation commands like SELECT, UPDATE, INSERT INTO and DELETE
FROM, as described below:

SELECT: This command is used to retrieve rows from a table. The syntax is SELECT [column name(s)] from
[table name] where [conditions]. SELECT is the most widely used DML command in SQL.

UPDATE: This command modifies data of one or more records. An update command syntax is UPDATE [table
name] SET [column name = value] where [condition].

INSERT: This command adds one or more records to a database table. The insert command syntax is
INSERT INTO [table name] [column(s)] VALUES [value(s)].

DELETE: This command removes one or more records from a table according to specified conditions. Delete
command syntax is DELETE FROM [table name] where [condition].

Related Terms
High-Level Language UPDATE

Database Structured Query Language

Data Definition Language Query

Query Language IP Multimedia Subsystem

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TAGS
DATA MANAGEMENT DATABASE (DBMS)

SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

Margaret Rouse
Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to
explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past
twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been
cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today,
ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT
and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If
you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation,
please email Margaret or contact her…

All Posts by Margaret Rouse

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