Data Engineering Associate with Databricks Practice Exam

What SQL command is used to update a record in a table?

1. MODIFY

2. UPDATE

3. CHANGE

4. EDIT

The correct answer is: UPDATE

The SQL command used to update a record in a table is "UPDATE". This command is fundamental in SQL for altering existing records within a database. When you want to change values in particular columns of a specific row or rows based on certain conditions, the UPDATE command is utilized. The structure of the command allows you to specify the table that needs to be modified, specify which columns to update, and provide the new values for those columns. Additionally, you can apply a WHERE clause to ensure that only the intended records are affected, which is crucial for maintaining data integrity. Other options like MODIFY, CHANGE, and EDIT do not serve as standard SQL commands for updating records in relational databases. They do not exist in SQL syntax, which is why they cannot be used effectively to achieve the desired outcome of updating a record. Understanding the correct usage of SQL commands like UPDATE is essential for anyone working in data engineering or database management, as it directly relates to how data can be manipulated and maintained.