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Databases Modifying Data with SQL Adding Data to a Database Adding a Row to a Table

Posted by Michael Newman
Michael Newman
39,508 Points

Why does Andrew specify the column names on the "INSERT INTO loans" example?

I'm pretty sure I'm missing something obvious, but why does he explicitly state the column names (i.e. id, book_id, patron_id, etc.). My best guess is he is stating only the fields he wants to add, but I'm not sure why some of these are NULL.

1 Answer

Michael Newman
Michael Newman
39,508 Points

I spoke way too soon, should've just finished the video. For anyone else wondering like I was I'll give explaining it my best shot (please correct me if I'm wrong).

Stating the column names will tell the database which fields you are adding. You can explicitly state less fields than the total schema requires and it knows that the values you are adding below to those column fields only. If you omit a field (such as book_id like in Andrew's example) the database will know to skip over that value and go to the next value you provide.