SQL Introduction: How to Create and Manipulate Data Tables in MySQL?

A data table is a "table" for storing structured data in a database, composed of columns (defining data types) and rows (recording specific information). For example, a "student table" contains columns such as student ID and name, with each row corresponding to a student's information. To create a table, use the `CREATE TABLE` statement, which requires defining the table name, column names, data types, and constraints (e.g., primary key `PRIMARY KEY`, non-null `NOT NULL`, default value `DEFAULT`). Common data types include integer `INT`, string `VARCHAR(length)`, and date `DATE`. Constraints like auto-increment primary key `AUTO_INCREMENT` ensure uniqueness. To view the table structure, use `DESCRIBE` or `SHOW COLUMNS`, which display column names, types, and whether null values are allowed. Operations include: - Insertion: `INSERT INTO` (specify column names to avoid order errors), - Query: `SELECT` (`*` for all columns, `WHERE` for conditional filtering), - Update: `UPDATE` (must include `WHERE` to avoid full-table modification), - Deletion: `DELETE` (similarly requires `WHERE`, otherwise the entire table is cleared). Notes: Strings use single quotes; `UPDATE`/`DELETE` must include `WHERE`; primary keys are unique and non-null.