eolas/Databases/SQL/5_UPDATE.md

---
categories:
  - Databases
  - Programming Languages
tags: [SQL]
---

# SQL: The UPDATE query

With UPDATE we modify existing records.

## Schematic syntax

```sql
UPDATE [table_name]
SET [field]
WHERE [conditional expression/filter]
```

## Real example

```sql
UPDATE manufacturer
SET url = '<http://www.hp.co.uk>'
WHERE manufacturer_id = 4; --typically this will be the primary key as you are updating and existing record and need to identify it uniquely
```

## Multiple fields

```sql
UPDATE manufacturer
SET url = '<http://www.apple.co.uk>',
    year_founded = 1977
WHERE manufacturer_id = 2;
```