Beginner

700. USE DATABASE

Learn how to select the database where SQL statements will be executed.

📘 Lesson 700 of 728 ⏱ 4 min 🎯 Beginner

The USE statement changes the current database context. After selecting a database, all SQL commands are executed inside that database until another database is selected.

A SQL Server may contain hundreds of databases. Selecting the correct database prevents accidental changes to the wrong application.

A developer creates a new database called HRManagement and then switches to it before creating tables.

SQL 
USE HRManagement;

Database administrators and developers frequently switch between Development, Testing, and Production databases.

  • Changes the current database.
  • Does not create a database.
  • Executed before creating tables.
  • Helps avoid working in the wrong database.
  • Only one database is active at a time.
  • Commonly used after CREATE DATABASE.
  • Available in SQL Server and MySQL.
What does the USE statement do?

It changes the current database context.

Does USE create a database?

No. It only selects an existing database.

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