query

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To interrogate a collection of data such as records in a database. The term may also be used to search a single file or collection of files such as HTML files on the Web. However, in addition to obtaining lists of records that match the search criteria, queries to a database allow for counting items and summing amounts. A query on the Web yields only a list of matching pages and is more often called a "search."

For years, query and report programs have been the primary applications that produce output from information systems. A query implies an online request as required (look up that record), while a report implies a more elaborate printout with page headings and numbers that is typically produced at regular intervals such as end of month. See report writer.

Simple or Complex

Defining a query for a relational database can be extremely simple or very complex. If the query is based on one matching condition, such as "retrieve all customers who owe us more than $10,000," it is usually easy to define in a query language or program. However, "retrieve all customers who owe us more than $10,000 from purchasing toasters" is not easy. It requires several steps to determine how many toaster orders are in the balance due.

Tables Must Be Joined

Relational databases are designed to eliminate redundancy. The goal is to store a data item in one table and not have it duplicated in others. For example, an order record will contain the product number ordered, but often not its description. The description is stored in a product table. Thus, any printout of products ordered and their descriptions requires that the order table be linked to the product table for that query or report. Linking customer, order and product tables is a common example of "joining" tables to satisfy a query.

Contents of a Query

Most queries require at least the following conditions to be stated. First, which table or tables is the data coming from. If from two or more tables, what is the link between (typically account number or name). Next, define the selection criteria, which is the matching condition or filter. Lastly, define which fields in the tables are to be displayed or printed in the result. See SQL.

The Query Statement

This diagram depicts the typical conditions that have to be stated when querying a relational database.

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Request from a customer or prospect for information about his account or about the product or service involved. See also customer service; inquiry.

noun

A request for data: inquiry, interrogation, question. Law interrogatory. See ask/answer, investigate.

verb

To put a question to (someone): ask, examine, inquire, question, quiz. See ask/answer.

n

Definition: demand for answers
Antonyms: answer, reply

v

Definition: ask
Antonyms: answer, reply

Question; indicates that the proposition or rule that it introduces is unsettled or open to some question.
Thus, a law professor might say, “Query: whether a pardon can reach pre- indictment offenses of a public official?”

IN BRIEF: A question. Also: To ask a question.

To the query, "What is a friend?" his reply was "A single soul dwelling in two bodies." — Aristotle (384-322 BC)

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For a list of words related to query, see:

• Journalism - query: inquiry from writer to editor regarding acceptability of story, usu. presented in letter outlining or describing piece
• Questions and Answers - query: ask a question; express doubt

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See words rhyming with "query."

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Dansk (Danish)
n. - spørgsmål, forespørgsel, anmodning
v. tr. - sætte spørgsmålstegn ved

Nederlands (Dutch)
vragen, twijfels uiten over iets, juistheid van iets betwisten, vraag, vraagteken

Français (French)
n. - question (à propos de), question (au sujet de), (Comput) interrogation, point d'interrogation
v. tr. - mettre en doute, se demander si

Deutsch (German)
n. - Frage, Fragezeichen
v. - fragen, in Frage stellen, beanstanden

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - (επ)ερώτηση, ερώτημα, απορία
v. - ερωτώ, αμφισβητώ, ερευνώ, αναρωτιέμαι, σημειώνω με ερωτηματικό

Italiano (Italian)
domandare, indagare, chiedersi, sondare, richiesta

Português (Portuguese)
n. - pergunta (f), ponto de interrogação (m)
v. - perguntar, manifestar dúvida

Русский (Russian)
осведомиться, усомниться, запрос

Español (Spanish)
n. - pregunta, duda, interrogante
v. tr. - preguntar, poner en duda

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - fråga, fundering, frågetecken
v. - fråga om, ta reda på, ifrågasätta, betvivla, sätta frågetecken för, fråga, förhöra sig hos (am.)

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
疑问, 质问, 疑问号, 问, 对...表示疑问, 询问, 把...作为问题提出

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 疑問, 質問, 疑問號
v. tr. - 問, 對...表示疑問, 詢問, 把...作為問題提出

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 질문, 물음표, 묻건대
v. tr. - 묻다, 질문하다, ~에 물음표를 붙이다, 미심쩍어 하다

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 質問, 疑問符, あえて問う, 疑問
v. - …についてただす, 尋ねる, 疑う, 質問をする, 疑いを表わす

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) سؤال موجه إلى السلطات, علامه استفهام (فعل) يسأل, يستفهم‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮סימן שאלה, ספק, שאילתה, שאלה‬
v. tr. - ‮חקר, שאל, הטיל ספק ב-‬

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