A Simple Query

An SQL query consists of three pieces, or blocks: the select block, the from block and the where block.

The select block tells the database which columns of data you want it to return. You must separate each column name with a comma. For example, if you wanted to find the celestial coordinates right ascension (ra) and declination (dec) of an object, the select block might read

select
ra, dec

The from block specifies which table (or tables) you want to search. If you wanted to retrieve information from the specObj table, the from block would read

from
specObj

The where block allows you to search for records with certain characteristics. Your list of characteristics must be separated by the word "AND". Suppose you wanted to limit your search to a patch of sky with ra between 140 and 141 degrees and dec between 20 and 21 degrees. To search only this patch of sky, your where block would read

where
ra BETWEEN 140 AND 141 AND
dec BETWEEN 20 AND 21

The database will return only those records that have an ra between 140 and 141 and a dec between 20 and 21.

This query is shown in the query window below. Click Submit to send the query to the database. When you see the results, scroll through them to verify that all records have ra between 140 and 141 and dec between 20 and 21.