What is the difference between DELETE and TRUNCATE statements in SQL?

Understanding the Difference Between DELETE and TRUNCATE Statements in SQL

When it comes to manipulating data in a database using SQL, it's important to understand the distinction between the DELETE and TRUNCATE statements.

DELETE Statement:

The DELETE statement is used to remove specific rows from a table based on a condition.

• Deletes rows one by one based on the specified condition
• Generates logs for each deleted row, making it slower for large datasets
• Allows the use of a WHERE clause to specify which rows to delete

TRUNCATE Statement:

The TRUNCATE statement is used to remove all rows from a table quickly.

• Removes all rows at once without the need for a condition
• Resets the auto-increment value of the table
• Does not generate logs for individual row deletions, making it faster than DELETE

It is important to choose the appropriate statement based on the specific requirements of the operation you are performing in your SQL database.