SQL Select Insert - Quiz Explanation

Explanation of answers

The correct answers are indicated below, along with the text that explains the correct answers.
 
1. What's wrong with the statement shown below? 

SELECT * FROM THE TABLE BasicTable

Please select the best answer.
  A. The asterisk should be replaced with the SQL key phrase ALL COLUMNS.
  B. THE TABLE is incorrect.
  C. A sort order is not indicated.
  D. All of the above
  The correct answer is B.
The correct syntax is
SELECT * FROM BasicTable

Sort orders are not required for SELECT statements.

2. What is wrong with the statement shown below?
INSERT COLUMNS (Lastname, Firstname, Phonenumber) 
into BasicTable values ('Smith', 'John')

Please select the best answer.
  A. The table name is not in the correct location.
  B. The column count does not match the input variable count.
  C. The table name is not listed first, followed by the columns, then the data.
  D. All of the above
  The correct answer is D.
The correct syntax is 
INSERT INTO BasicTable (Lastname, Firstname, Phonenumber) 
VALUES ('Smith', 'John', '555-1212');

3. What is wrong with the statement shown below?
SELECT Firstname, Lastname FROM BasicTable WHERE Lastname = Smith

Please select the best answer.
  A. The columns should be listed after the table name.
  B. The WHERE clause should come before the FROM clause.
  C. String values in the WHERE clause must be enclosed in quotes.
  D. The asterisk (*) should be used instead of column names.
  The correct answer is C.
The correct syntax is 
SELECT Firstname, Lastname FROM BasicTable WHERE Lastname = 'Smith';

String literals in SQL must be enclosed in single quotes. Without quotes, the database will interpret Smith as a column name rather than a string value, which will cause an error.