Definition

query

In general, a query (noun) is a question, often required to be expressed in a formal way. The word derives from the Latin quaere (the imperative form of quaerere, meaning to ask or seek). In computers, what a user of a search engine or database enters is sometimes called the query. To query (verb) means to submit a query (noun).

A database query can be either a select query or an action query. A select query is simply a data retrieval query. An action query can ask for additional operations on the data, such as insertion, updating, or deletion.

Languages used to interact with databases are called query languages, of which the Structured Query Language (SQL) is the well-known standard.

Related glossary terms: T-SQL (Transact-SQL), SQL (Structured Query Language), Collaboration Data Objects (CDO), OLE DB (OLEDB or Object Linking and Embedding Database), container, commit, ACID (atomicity, consistency, isolation, and durability), SQL Server 2012, fetch, DAO (Data Access Objects)

This was last updated in April 2005

Posted by: Margaret Rouse

Email Alerts

Register now to receive SearchSQLServer.com-related news, tips and more, delivered to your inbox.

By submitting you agree to receive email from TechTarget and its partners. If you reside outside of the United States, you consent to having your personal data transferred to and processed in the United States. Privacy

More News and Tutorials

T-SQL analytic functions in SQL Server can help solve problems quickly

With the help of T-SQL analytic functions, we can quickly solve complex analytical tasks. Learn more from SQL Server expert Basit Farooq.
T-SQL tricks for SQL Server 2012: T-SQL statements

In the final part of Robert Sheldon's series on features and tricks in T-SQL, learn about important T-SQL statements like LAG, LEAD and more.
T-SQL tricks for SQL Server 2012: T-SQL formatting

Learn the advantages of new T-SQL formatting tools in this third part of expert Robert Sheldon's series on new T-SQL tricks for 2012.

Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know.

Send your comments to [email protected]

Research More Tech Terms

Search thousands of tech definitions
Browse tech definitions
Browse Alphabetically:
- A
- B
- C
- D
- E
- F
- G
- H
- I
- J
- K
- L
- M
- N
- O
- P
- Q
- R
- S
- T
- U
- V
- W
- X
- Y
- Z
- #

Powered by WhatIs.com

File Extensions and File Formats

File Extension and File Formats List:

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
#

Powered by WhatIs.com

More from Related TechTarget Sites

Business Analytics
Data Center
Data Management
Data Management UK
Oracle
Content Management
Windows Server

Business Analytics
- Con-way finds a way to run its outsourced IT services like a business
  
  Con-way faced new challenges when it decided to outsource IT services, such as tracking how the company utilizes data and infrastructure.
- Cloud, mobile top Gartner's list of big trends in business intelligence
  
  Mobile, social and cloud remain fairly hyped technologies for BI heading into 2013 along with that old standby -- information management.
- With mobile BI deployments, company size matters
  
  New survey results document how smaller businesses are leading the mobile BI charge.
Data Center
- Dell explains private cloud strategy, Quest Software plans
  
  Dell's cloud services strategy seeks to win over enterprises that want to build a private cloud first. It’s also got big plans for Quest Software.
- Dell continues its extreme makeover for cloud, BYOD and services era
  
  IT pros ponder another year of acquisition and transformation for Dell, and what it may mean for their own cloud computing strategy plans.
- Stemming losses: DC vs. AC power in the data center
  
  Delivering DC vs. AC power to a data center can potentially reduce electrical conversion losses and save electricity costs.
Data Management
- Amazon set to upend status quo with Redshift data warehouse in the cloud
  
  Fast-moving Amazon.com will try to upend the conventional data warehouse software market with a low-cost, cloud-based warehousing service.
- With 'big data' out of the box, maintaining order is a must
  
  It’s easy to foretell continued growth in big data investments next year. But proper management and governance are needed to derive real business value from all that info.
- New Informatica Cloud update promotes business user self-service
  
  The winter release of Informatica Cloud aims to increase business user self-service capabilities while improving data quality.
DataManagement UK
- Big data roundtable webcast: gaining value from big data
  
  Roundtable discussion on business value of big data, chaired by Brian McKenna, Editor, SearchDataManagementUK, and featuring Mike Ferguson, Roxane Edjlali (Gartner), Joshua LeCure (GlaxoSmithKline).
- 2012 training courses: BI, data management, data warehousing
  
  Find out where to hone your business intelligence, data management and data warehouse skills with this list of training courses for 2012.
- Poor data quality: what is dirty data costing UK organisations?
  
  Poor data quality can have serious financial consequences for businesses. Read about the current state of data quality management at UK companies, including dirty data problems.
Oracle
- Pluggable Database virtualizes Oracle Database 12c
  
  Several users beta testing Oracle Database 12c say that Pluggable Database is one of its most powerful new features.
- JD Edwards upgrade: Consolidate EnterpriseOne business units
  
  Companies can consolidate their business units when doing a JD Edwards upgrade, but knowing how and when to do it isn't an easy task.
- How CTO Joel Gilbert built his own Exadata
  
  Gilbert, CTO of workforce management software company Pipkins, said he built Exadata before Oracle did. Well, kind of. See how he did it.
Content Management
- Content management strategy may be Lady Gaga's latest conquest
  
  Interscope records revamps its content management strategy with Echo's StreamServer to exploit social content created by fans of its musical artists.
- John Seely Brown: Knowledge flow becoming a new currency for business
  
  John Seely Brown on knowledge flow and organizational learning methods borrowed from gaming and surfing to help enterprises remain competitive.
- John Seely Brown explains organizational learning methods that work
  
  John Seely Brown discusses organizational learning methods that borrow from social networks to help enterprises compete in a new era.
Windows Server
- Final Patch Tuesday of the year brings fixes to Windows, Office, IE
  
  As 2012 draws to a close, Microsoft has one last batch of patches for admins. This month, Windows Server 2012, Office and Internet Explorer get fixes.
- Q&A;: System Center 2012 SP1 to deliver key management features
  
  Systems management expert Don Retallack offers details of next year's Microsoft System Center 2012 Service Pack 1.
- Easier DirectAccess setup means a plausible VPN alternative for admins
  
  DirectAccess used to be a complicated feature, but not anymore. In Windows Server 2012, simpler DirectAccess setup helps admins connect mobile users.

All Rights Reserved,Copyright 2005 - 2012, TechTarget