Welcome to the Treehouse Community

Want to collaborate on code errors? Have bugs you need feedback on? Looking for an extra set of eyes on your latest project? Get support with fellow developers, designers, and programmers of all backgrounds and skill levels here with the Treehouse Community! While you're at it, check out some resources Treehouse students have shared here.

Looking to learn something new?

Treehouse offers a seven day free trial for new students. Get access to thousands of hours of content and join thousands of Treehouse students and alumni in the community today.

Start your free trial

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

Angelus Miculek
Angelus Miculek
6,886 Points
Posted by Angelus Miculek
Angelus Miculek
6,886 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
231,275 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,275 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.