SQL · Quick Reference

Lesson 2 — Setting Up MySQL & First Queries Cheat Sheet

SQL

In one line: Option A — Local Install: MySQL Community Server (free download from mysql.com) + MySQL Workbench GUI. Best for real projects.

Key Ideas

1Setup Options. Option A — Local Install: MySQL Community Server (free download from mysql.com) + MySQL Workbench GUI. Best for real projects.

Code Examples

-- See all databases on the server
SHOW DATABASES;

-- Create a new database
CREATE DATABASE school_db;

-- Select database to use
USE school_db;

-- See current database
SELECT DATABASE();

-- Delete a database (CAREFUL — no undo!)
-- DROP DAT...

USE school_db;

CREATE TABLE students (
  id         INT           PRIMARY KEY AUTO_INCREMENT,
  name       VARCHAR(100)  NOT NULL,
  age        INT,
  email      VARCHAR(150)  UNIQUE,
  grade      VARCHAR(5),
  created_at TIMESTAMP    DEFAULT CURRE...

-- Insert one student
INSERT INTO students (name, age, email, grade)
VALUES ('Sara Ahmed', 17, 'sara@example.com', 'A');

-- Insert multiple rows (more efficient)
INSERT INTO students (name, age, email, grade) VALUES
  ('Ali Khan',      16, 'ali@examp...