DELETE in SQL vs. DROP in SQL: Know the Difference

By Shumaila Saeed || Published on February 6, 2024

DELETE in SQL removes specific records from a table, maintaining the table's structure, whereas DROP in SQL completely removes a table or database, including its structure and data.

DELETE in SQL vs. DROP in SQL

Key Differences

DELETE in SQL is used to remove one or more rows from a table, allowing the table structure to remain intact, unlike DROP, which removes the entire table or database.

Feb 06, 2024

While DELETE operations can be rolled back if used within a transaction, DROP commands are irreversible, permanently deleting the table or database structure.

Feb 06, 2024

DELETE allows for conditional removal of data using a WHERE clause, targeting specific records, whereas DROP removes all data and the table or database structure unconditionally.

Feb 06, 2024

After using DELETE, the space occupied by the removed data can be reused for new data in the same table, but DROP frees up space by deleting the table itself.

Feb 06, 2024

DELETE can affect table relationships and integrity constraints if foreign keys are involved, but DROP eliminates these concerns by removing the entire table or database.

Feb 06, 2024

ADVERTISEMENT

Comparison Chart

Action

Removes specific rows from a table

Removes an entire table or database

Feb 06, 2024

Structure Impact

Maintains table structure

Deletes table structure

Feb 06, 2024

Reversibility

Can be rolled back within a transaction

Irreversible

Feb 06, 2024

Usage

Conditional removal with WHERE clause

Unconditional removal

Feb 06, 2024

Space Reusability

Freed space can be reused in the same table

Frees up space by removing the structure

Feb 06, 2024

ADVERTISEMENT

Transaction Safety

Can be transaction-safe

Not transaction-safe

Feb 06, 2024

Impact on Integrity

Affects table relationships and integrity

Removes relationships and constraints altogether

Feb 06, 2024

Syntax

DELETE FROM [table] WHERE [condition];

DROP TABLE [table]; or DROP DATABASE [database];

Feb 06, 2024

Target

Specific rows based on conditions

Entire table or database without conditions

Feb 06, 2024

Common Use

Cleaning up data, maintaining structure

Removing obsolete tables or databases

Feb 06, 2024

ADVERTISEMENT

DELETE in SQL and DROP in SQL Definitions

DELETE in SQL

Can use a WHERE clause to specify which rows to delete.

DELETE FROM Employees WHERE Department = 'Sales';

Jan 25, 2024

DROP in SQL

Frees up storage space by removing entities.

DROP DATABASE TestEnvironment;

Jan 25, 2024

DELETE in SQL

Affects the data in a table but not its structure.

DELETE FROM Users WHERE Username = 'john_doe';

Jan 25, 2024

DROP in SQL

Command to completely remove a table or database.

DROP TABLE Inventory;

Jan 25, 2024

DELETE in SQL

Capable of being rolled back in a transaction.

BEGIN TRANSACTION; DELETE FROM Products WHERE Quantity = 0; ROLLBACK;

Jan 25, 2024

DROP in SQL

Does not allow conditional removal, deletes everything.

DROP TABLE ArchivedLogs;

Jan 25, 2024

DELETE in SQL

Command to remove specific rows from a table.

DELETE FROM Customers WHERE Age < 18;

Jan 25, 2024

DROP in SQL

Irreversible action that cannot be rolled back.

DROP TABLE TemporaryData;

Jan 25, 2024

DELETE in SQL

Used to selectively erase data while preserving the table.

DELETE FROM Orders WHERE OrderDate < '2020-01-01';

Jan 25, 2024

DROP in SQL

Used to delete the structure along with the data.

DROP DATABASE OldRecords;

Jan 25, 2024

Repeatedly Asked Queries

What does DELETE do in SQL?

DELETE removes specific rows from a table based on conditions.

Feb 06, 2024

Can DELETE in SQL be undone?

Yes, if used within a transaction, DELETE can be rolled back.

Feb 06, 2024

Does DELETE remove table structure?

No, DELETE only removes data, not the structure of the table.

Feb 06, 2024

Does DELETE command affect database size?

DELETE may not immediately reduce database size, as it only removes data.

Feb 06, 2024

Can DROP command be part of a transaction?

DROP can be included in transactions, but it's irreversible.

Feb 06, 2024

Can DROP in SQL be conditional?

No, DROP is unconditional and removes the entire table or database.

Feb 06, 2024

Is DROP reversible in SQL?

No, once executed, DROP cannot be reversed.

Feb 06, 2024

How quick is DROP in SQL?

DROP is generally faster as it removes entire structures without checking data.

Feb 06, 2024

What is the main purpose of DROP in SQL?

DROP is used to completely remove a table or database, including its data and structure.

Feb 06, 2024

What happens to the data after a DELETE command?

The data specified in the DELETE command is removed, but the table remains.

Feb 06, 2024

Is DELETE in SQL fast?

DELETE speed depends on the number of rows and complexity of conditions.

Feb 06, 2024

Does DELETE operation lock the table?

DELETE can lock the table temporarily during the operation.

Feb 06, 2024

Can I use DELETE to remove all rows in a table?

Yes, but it's more efficient to use TRUNCATE for this purpose.

Feb 06, 2024

How does DROP command affect database size?

DROP reduces database size by removing tables or entire databases.

Feb 06, 2024

What if DROP is used without specifying a table?

Using DROP without specifying a table or database results in an error.

Feb 06, 2024

Are there alternatives to DELETE for removing data?

Yes, TRUNCATE is an alternative for deleting all rows more efficiently.

Feb 06, 2024

Can DELETE be used with a WHERE clause?

Yes, DELETE is often used with a WHERE clause for conditional deletion.

Feb 06, 2024

Will DROP operation lock the database?

DROP may lock the database briefly as it removes structures.

Feb 06, 2024

Is DROP used for cleaning data?

No, DROP is for removing entire tables or databases, not for cleaning data.

Feb 06, 2024

What's the risk with using DROP?

The risk is accidentally deleting important structures and data irreversibly.

Feb 06, 2024

Share this page

Link for your blog / website

HTML

Link to share via messenger

Economist vs. Statistician

DELETE in SQL vs. DROP in SQL

4D Battery vs. 8D Battery

DELETE in SQL vs. DROP in SQL

About Author

Written by

Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.

Trending Comparisons

Hydroscopic vs. Hygroscopic

Hydroscopic vs. Hygroscopic

February 14, 2024

Hydroscopic is a common misnomer, often incorrectly used in place of hygroscopic. Hygroscopic refers to substances that absorb moisture from the air.

Stuck vs. Stock

Stuck vs. Stock

June 18, 2024

"Stuck" refers to being unable to move or progress, while "stock" primarily denotes inventory or shares in a company, highlighting distinct usage contexts.

Polo Ralph Lauren vs. US Polo Assn

Polo Ralph Lauren vs. US Polo Assn

January 21, 2024

Polo Ralph Lauren is a premium fashion brand known for luxury clothing, while US Polo Assn is the official brand of the United States Polo Association, focused on affordable casual wear.

Pulley vs. Sheave

Pulley vs. Sheave

April 4, 2024

A pulley is a wheel on an axle designed to support movement and change of direction of a taut cable, while a sheave is the wheel part of a pulley system that specifically interacts with the cable.

Pycharm Community vs. Pycharm Pro

Pycharm Community vs. Pycharm Pro

February 4, 2024

PyCharm Community is a free, open-source IDE for Python development, while PyCharm Pro is a paid version with additional advanced features like web development support and database tools.

Catholic Bible vs. NIV Bible

Catholic Bible vs. NIV Bible

February 11, 2024

The Catholic Bible includes additional books in the Old Testament not found in the NIV Bible; the NIV is a modern English translation.

Natural Rubber vs. Synthetic Rubber

Natural Rubber vs. Synthetic Rubber

March 8, 2024

Natural rubber, derived from the latex of rubber trees, offers elasticity and resistance to abrasion, while synthetic rubber, produced from petroleum byproducts, provides enhanced chemical and temperature resistance.

Imax 2D vs. 2D

February 14, 2024

Imax 2D offers an immersive, large-scale cinematic experience with enhanced sound and image quality, whereas standard 2D provides a traditional flat-screen viewing without these enhancements.

Xmas vs. Christmas

Xmas vs. Christmas

February 27, 2024

Xmas is an abbreviation of Christmas, often used for convenience, while Christmas refers to the traditional Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

Single User Operating System vs. Multi User Operating System

Single User Operating System vs. Multi User Operating System

January 24, 2024

A Single User Operating System supports one user at a time, whereas a Multi User Operating System allows multiple users to operate simultaneously.

Broadsheet vs. Tabloid

Broadsheet vs. Tabloid

November 2, 2024

Broadsheet is a large-format newspaper focusing on serious content; Tabloid is a smaller, sensational news-focused paper.

Inox vs. Stainless Steel

Inox vs. Stainless Steel

January 10, 2024

Inox is a synonym for stainless steel, used mainly in Europe, while stainless steel is a corrosion-resistant alloy containing chromium.

Cat6 vs. Cat6A

December 7, 2024

Cat6 cables support speeds up to 1Gbps over 100 meters, whereas Cat6A extends to 10Gbps over the same distance, offering enhanced performance and reliability.

8085 Microprocessor vs. 8086 Microprocessor

8085 Microprocessor vs. 8086 Microprocessor

February 1, 2024

The 8085 is an 8-bit microprocessor with a 16-bit address bus, while the 8086 is a 16-bit microprocessor with a 20-bit address bus, marking a significant advancement in processing capabilities.

.380 vs. .38 Special

.380 vs. .38 Special

April 20, 2024

The .380 is a short-range pistol cartridge with less recoil, while the .38 Special is a longer, more powerful revolver cartridge suitable for diverse uses.

Coke vs. Pepsi

January 12, 2024

Coke and Pepsi are iconic cola beverages with distinct flavors; Coke has a sharper, vanilla-tinged taste, while Pepsi is sweeter with a citrusy flavor.

Positivism vs. Post-Positivism

Positivism vs. Post-Positivism

May 26, 2024

Positivism emphasizes observable, empirical evidence and the scientific method, while post-positivism recognizes the limitations of pure objectivity and incorporates subjective perspectives.

Roman Catholic vs. Irish Catholic

Roman Catholic vs. Irish Catholic

February 4, 2024

Roman Catholic refers to the global Christian church led by the Pope in Rome, while Irish Catholic denotes Roman Catholics in Ireland, often with unique cultural and historical aspects.

NM3 vs. M3

April 19, 2024

NM3 measures gas volume under Normal conditions (0°C and 1.01325 bar), while M3 measures volume under the conditions at which it is measured, without standard adjustment.

Candescent vs. Incandescent

Candescent vs. Incandescent

September 22, 2024

Candescent refers to glowing with heat, while incandescent involves light produced by heat. Both indicate forms of luminescence, yet differ in context and use.

Shriners vs. Masons

Shriners vs. Masons

February 29, 2024

Shriners are a subgroup within Freemasonry known for charitable work, especially children's hospitals; Masons are members of the larger, older fraternity of Freemasonry with broader goals and activities.

Assess vs. Asses

Assess vs. Asses

April 13, 2024

"Assess" means to evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality of something. "Asses" is the plural of "ass," referring to multiple donkeys or used pejoratively for foolish people.

Megabyte vs. Gigabyte

Megabyte vs. Gigabyte

February 8, 2024

A Megabyte (MB) is a unit of digital information storage equal to 1,024 kilobytes, while a Gigabyte (GB) is equal to 1,024 megabytes.

TPU vs. PU

April 26, 2024

TPU is a type of thermoplastic elastomer with high elasticity and durability, while PU, or polyurethane, is versatile with varying hardness and used in multiple applications.

Featured Comparisons

Coyote vs. Jackal

Coyote vs. Jackal

Helicopter vs. Chopper

Helicopter vs. Chopper

Fate vs. Destiny

Fate vs. Destiny

Cuddle vs. Snuggle

Cuddle vs. Snuggle

Hard Copy vs. Soft Copy

Hard Copy vs. Soft Copy