SQL Select Database
In this lesson, you learn how to select a database using SQL.
Why selecting a database?
Before executing a query related to a specific database, you need first to be sure that the right database is selected. Then automatically any query will be applied to it.
Be careful when you execute queries because if you execute one on the wrong database you may cause a huge loss.
Also, if no database is selected and you try to execute a query that cannot be executed without a selected database you will get an error response saying:
Select database in SQL
The USE statement is used to select a database.
Syntax
USE database_name;
You should replace database_name with the name of the database that you want to select.
Select database example
The following SQL statement selects a database called "demo".
Example
USE demo;
Output
The output means that the statement is executed succesfully.
MySQL Workbench selected database
In MySQL Workbench, the selected database in the schemas navigator appears in bold as follows.
Change default database in MySQL Workbench
You can change the selected database by hitting right-click on the database that you want to select, then click on Set as default schemas as follows.
