The select command retrieves data stored in the rows and columns of database tables using a procedure called a query. A query has three main parts: the select clause, the from clause, and the where clause.
This chapter focuses on basic single-table select statements. Many sections contain sample statements that you can use to practice writing queries. If you want to integrate other Transact-SQL functionality, such as joins, subqueries, and aggregates, you can find more complex query examples later in this book.
