Select *|{[DISTINCT] column|expression [alias],...}
FROM table;

. SELECT identifies what columns
. FROM identifies which table

Basic SELECT Statement

In its simplest form, a SELECT statement must include the following

. A SELECT Clause, which specifies the columns to be displayed
. A FROM clause, which specifies the table containing the columns listed in the SELECT clause

In the syntax:

SELECT is a list of one or more columns

* select all columns

DISTNICT suppresses duplicate

column/expression selects the named columns different headings

alias gives selected columns different headings

FROM table specifies the table containing the columns

Important Note:

. A Keyword refers to an individual SQL element.
For Example, SELECT and FROM are keywords.

. A clause is a part of SQL statement.
For Example, SELECT employee_id, last_name, .... is a clause.

. A statement is a combination of two or more clauses.
For Example, SELECT * FROM employees is a SQL statement.