Microsoft SQL Server Operators: A Comprehensive Guide

Operators in Microsoft SQL Server are symbols or keywords used to perform operations on data within SQL statements. They are used to compare values, perform arithmetic operations, and manipulate data. In this article, we will explore the different types of operators available in SQL Server and provide examples to illustrate their usage.

Types of Operators

SQL Server provides various types of operators, including:

• Arithmetic Operators: Used for performing mathematical calculations on numeric values. Examples include +, -, *, /.
• Comparison Operators: Used for comparing values to determine equality, inequality, or relative ordering. Examples include =, <>, >, <, >=, <=.
• Logical Operators: Used for combining conditions or evaluating multiple conditions. Examples include AND, OR, NOT.
• String Operators: Used for manipulating and concatenating string values. Example: + for concatenation.
• Bitwise Operators: Used for performing operations on binary values. Examples include &, |, ^.
• Assignment Operators: Used for assigning values to variables or columns. Example: =.

Examples

Let's see some examples of using operators in SQL Server:

Example 1: Arithmetic Operators

    SELECT 10 + 5 AS addition, 10 - 5 AS subtraction, 10 * 5 AS multiplication, 10 / 5 AS division
    FROM dual;
  

This query demonstrates the use of arithmetic operators to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division operations.

Example 2: Comparison Operators

    SELECT *
    FROM employees
    WHERE age > 30 AND salary >= 50000;
  

This query uses comparison operators to filter the rows from the "employees" table where the age is greater than 30 and the salary is greater than or equal to 50000.

Example 3: Logical Operators

    SELECT *
    FROM products
    WHERE category = 'Electronics' OR (price > 100 AND stock > 0);
  

This query utilizes logical operators to retrieve the products from the "products" table where the category is 'Electronics' or the price is greater than 100 and the stock is greater than 0.

Example 4: String Operators

    SELECT first_name + ' ' + last_name AS full_name
    FROM customers;
  

This query uses the string concatenation operator (+) to combine the first_name and last_name columns from the "customers" table to form the full name.

Conclusion

Operators in Microsoft SQL Server play a crucial role in manipulating and evaluating data within SQL statements. By understanding the different types of operators and their functionality, you can effectively construct queries to perform various operations and retrieve the desired results from your SQL Server database.