So what's SQL?
The set of commands we'll use to tell MySQL what to do for the restof this book is part of a standard called Structured Query Language, or SQL (pronounced
either "sequel" or "ess-cue-ell" — take your pick). Commands in SQL are also called queries (I'll use these two terms interchangeably in this
book).SQL is the standard language for interacting with most databases, so
even if you move from MySQL to a database like Microsoft SQL Server in the
future, you'll find that most of the commands are identical. It's important
that you understand the distinction between SQL and MySQL. MySQL is the database
server software that you're using. SQL is the language that you use to interact
with that database.