---
title: "What is DML (Data Manipulation Language)?"  
description: "What is DML (Data Manipulation Language)?"  
author: "Sumit Kesarwani"  
published: 2014-09-22  
updated: 2023-05-01  
canonical: https://www.mindstick.com/interview/2173/what-is-dml-data-manipulation-language  
category: "database"  
tags: ["database", "mssql server"]  
reading_time: 2 minutes  

---

# What is DML (Data Manipulation Language)?

This language that enable user to access or manipulate data as organised by appropriate data model.

**Procedural DML** or Low level: DML requires a user to specify what data are needed and how to get those data.

**Non-Procedural DML** or High level: DML requires a user to specify what data are needed without specifying how to get those data.

## Answers

### Answer by Aryan Kumar

In SQL (Structured Query Language), Data Manipulation Language (DML) is a subset of SQL statements used to manipulate data in a database. DML commands are used to add, modify, delete, and retrieve data from a database table.

The most common DML commands in SQL are:

1. **SELECT -** used to retrieve data from a table.
2. **INSERT -** used to insert new data into a table.
3. **UPDATE -** used to modify existing data in a table.
4. **DELETE -** used to delete data from a table.

Here's a brief explanation of each DML command:

1. **SELECT:** The SELECT command is used to retrieve data from a table. It allows you to specify which columns to retrieve, which rows to retrieve, and how to sort the data.
2. **INSERT:** The INSERT command is used to add new data to a table. It allows you to specify which columns to insert data into and what values to insert.
3. **UPDATE:** The UPDATE command is used to modify existing data in a table. It allows you to specify which columns to update, which rows to update, and what values to use.
4. **DELETE:** The DELETE command is used to remove data from a table. It allows you to specify which rows to delete based on certain conditions.

In summary, DML commands are used to manipulate data in a database table. They allow you to add, modify, delete, and retrieve data from a table.

### Answer by Sumit Kesarwani

This language that enable user to access or manipulate data as organised by appropriate data model.

**Procedural DML** or Low level: DML requires a user to specify what data are needed and how to get those data.

**Non-Procedural DML** or High level: DML requires a user to specify what data are needed without specifying how to get those data.


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