Here is a short quote from MSDN.

What Is Structured Query Language?
SQL stands for Structured Query Language and is sometimes pronounced as "sequel." At its simplest, it is the language that is used to extract, manipulate, and structure data that resides in a relational database management system (RDBMS). In other words, to get an answer from your database, you must ask the question in SQL.

Why and Where Would You Use SQL?
You may not know it, but if you've been using Access, you've also been using SQL. "No!" you may say. "I've never used anything called SQL." That's because Access does such a great job of using it for you. The thing to remember is that for every data-oriented request you make, Access converts it to SQL under the covers.

SQL is used in a variety of places in Access. It is used of course for queries, but it is also used to build reports, populate list and combo boxes, and drive data-entry forms. Because SQL is so prevalent throughout Access, understanding it will greatly improve your ability to take control of all of the programmatic power that Access gives you.


I use SQL to retrieve data from SQL Server 7.0, DB2 tables on our mainframe, and FoxPro tables.