The word SQL primary means a standard for working with relational databases. This standard language contains statements like SELECT, UPDATE, DELETE, INSERT and so on. All the major databases use this standard: Oracle, MicrosoftSQL, Informix, DB2, Sybase,.. Access is not a major database. It is not 100% SQL compatible. But you can use SQL syntax for almost all statements because Access recognizes this standard syntax. For example, to link 2 tables in a SELECT statement you use JOIN word in Access, but SQL standard use WHERE clause to link 2 tables; but you can use also the second choice because Access understands it.