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

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Answered by suresh

Difference between TRUNCATE and DELETE in Oracle SQL

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

When it comes to managing data in Oracle databases, TRUNCATE and DELETE are two common commands used. The main difference between TRUNCATE and DELETE in Oracle SQL lies in their functionality and performance:

TRUNCATE:

TRUNCATE is a DDL (Data Definition Language) command that is used to remove all records from a table in Oracle quickly and efficiently. It is a non-logged operation, meaning that it does not generate undo information. TRUNCATE also resets the high water mark of the table, making it a faster operation compared to DELETE. However, TRUNCATE can only be used on a whole table and cannot be rolled back once executed.

DELETE:

DELETE is a DML (Data Manipulation Language) command that is used to delete specific records from a table in Oracle. Unlike TRUNCATE, DELETE is a logged operation and generates undo information, allowing for the deleted records to be rolled back if necessary. DELETE is more flexible than TRUNCATE as it allows the use of a WHERE clause to specify which records to delete. However, DELETE is generally slower and generates more undo and redo than TRUNCATE.

Overall, the choice between TRUNCATE and DELETE in Oracle SQL depends on the specific requirements of the task at hand. TRUNCATE is preferred for quickly removing all records from a table, while DELETE is more suitable for selectively deleting specific records while maintaining the ability to roll back the operation if needed.

Answer for Question: What is the difference between TRUNCATE and DELETE in Oracle SQL?