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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
6,556 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
231,272 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.