Lesson 2.3

Why SQL Strings Need Quotes

Text columns store words and codes. Literal text values must be wrapped in quotes.

String columns hold text: names, cities, states, emails, statuses, and other labels. When you compare a column to a text value, put the value in single quotes.

Without quotes, SQL thinks the value is a column name or keyword. That is why state = PA is different from state = 'PA'.

Pattern

select text_column, another_column
from table_name
where text_column = 'exact text value'
order by text_column

Schema · Garden ShopTable · suppliers4 columns · 6 rows

Table · suppliers

One row per supplier. Some suppliers have no contact email.

4 columns · 6 rows

supplier_id intsupplier_name textcontact_email textstate text

Your task

Fix the query so it returns the supplier name andstate for suppliers in PA, sorted by supplier name.

SQL Workbench

query.sqlgarden_shop · SQL engine loading

⌘↵ to run

Expected answer

Columns: supplier_name, state.
Rows: 2 Pennsylvania suppliers.
The suppliers should be Ironwood Tools and RootWorks Supply.

Previous · 2.2 Numbers and calculations

Next · 2.4 Dates and times →

Lesson

Why SQL Data Types Matter

See why text, numbers, dates, and booleans behave differently.

Lesson

Numbers and Calculations in SQL

Compare, sort, and calculate with numeric values.

Lesson

Working with Dates and Times in SQL

Compare and sort date values chronologically.

Lesson

Booleans and Flag Columns in SQL

Use true/false columns in filters.

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