Which SQL sublanguage is used to insert, update, delete, and retrieve data?

Which SQL sublanguage is used to insert, update, delete, and retrieve data?

• A. DDL
• B. DML
• C. DRL
• D. DCL

Answer: (B)

Data manipulation within tables is handled by the Data Manipulation Language. This sublanguage covers the core operations on data: inserting new rows, updating existing ones, deleting rows, and retrieving data through queries. In other words, it’s the set of SQL commands that directly change or read the data stored in tables. That’s why this is the best fit: it focuses on manipulating the actual data values rather than altering the database structure. Other sublanguages serve different roles—Data Definition Language is for creating or altering schemas, and Data Control Language manages permissions. There isn’t a standard DRL in SQL, and retrieval is typically grouped with data manipulation under DML (even though some courses distinguish a separate query language).

Data manipulation within tables is handled by the Data Manipulation Language. This sublanguage covers the core operations on data: inserting new rows, updating existing ones, deleting rows, and retrieving data through queries. In other words, it’s the set of SQL commands that directly change or read the data stored in tables.

That’s why this is the best fit: it focuses on manipulating the actual data values rather than altering the database structure. Other sublanguages serve different roles—Data Definition Language is for creating or altering schemas, and Data Control Language manages permissions. There isn’t a standard DRL in SQL, and retrieval is typically grouped with data manipulation under DML (even though some courses distinguish a separate query language).