Describe conceptually how an SQL query will be executed by specifying the conceptual order of executing each of the six clauses.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The SQL query execution order is: (1) FROM, (2) WHERE, (3) GROUP BY, (4) HAVING, (5) SELECT, (6) ORDER BY.

Step by step solution

01

FROM clause

The execution of an SQL query starts with the FROM clause. This clause is used to specify the tables from which to retrieve data.
02

WHERE clause

After the database knows the table(s) to use via the FROM clause, the WHERE clause is processed. This clause filters the data based on certain conditions, and only rows that meet these conditions are selected.
03

GROUP BY clause

Next, the GROUP BY clause is executed. This clause groups selected rows into set of aggregated rows (groups) based on specified column(s). After this step, we are left with data in aggregated groups for further operations.
04

HAVING clause

The forth clause that is executed is the HAVING clause. Similar to WHERE clause, it filters the data but the key difference is that it works on aggregated data which we get after the execution of GROUP BY clause.
05

SELECT clause

Then, the SELECT clause is processed. Here, specific columns of data within the filtered and grouped rows are chosen. It is at this step that the data to be returned is determined.
06

ORDER BY clause

Finally, the ORDER BY clause is executed. This clause sorts the chosen data in ascending or descending order. The result of the query after this step is the actual output returned by the SQL query.

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