A Level Computer Science OCR Practice Exam

What does Structured Query Language (SQL) enable users to do?

1. Write and perform data analysis only

2. Design user interfaces for databases

3. Execute database queries and manage data

4. Encrypt data for secure storage

The correct answer is: Execute database queries and manage data

Structured Query Language (SQL) is fundamentally designed for managing and manipulating relational databases. It allows users to execute queries to retrieve, update, insert, and delete data stored in a database. This capability to handle and manage data efficiently is a core function of SQL, making it indispensable for database operations. The ability to execute database queries means that users can perform complex searches and data retrieval operations, allowing for the processing of large datasets effectively. Additionally, SQL provides commands for creating and altering database schema, as well as for managing user privileges and access control, which further demonstrates its comprehensive role in database management. In contrast, writing and performing data analysis is a subset of what SQL can do, but it does not encapsulate the full range of functionality provided by SQL. Designing user interfaces typically involves other programming languages and frameworks, while data encryption is a separate concern that often falls outside the scope of standard SQL functions, focusing more on security protocols and mechanisms specific to data protection.