Difference Between DELETE and DROP in SQL

In this post, we will understand the difference between DELETE and DROP commands in SQL.

DELETE

• It removes some or all of the tuples/records from a relation/table.

• It is DML, i.e data manipulation language.

• The ‘WHERE’ clause is used to add filter to it.

• It can be rolled back since it works on data buffer.

• Table’s memory space is not free if all records have been deleted using the ‘Delete’ Command.

• It may encounter memory shortage.

DROP

• It removes named elements of schema such as relations/table, constraints or the entire schema itself.

• It is DDL, i.e data definition language.

• It doesn’t use a ‘WHERE’ clause.

• It can’t be rolled back, since it works directly on the data.

• It frees the memory space.

• It can result in memory fragmentation.