SQL's TRUNCATE and DELETE: A Detailed Comparison
SQL offers two distinct commands for removing table rows: TRUNCATE
and DELETE
. While both achieve data removal, they differ significantly in speed, flexibility, and impact on database operations. Choosing the right command is critical for efficient database management.
Key Differences at a Glance
For rapid, complete row removal, TRUNCATE
is generally faster. However, DELETE
provides more granular control, allowing selective row deletion. The choice depends on your specific needs and database system.
Statement Classification
DELETE
is a Data Manipulation Language (DML) command, while TRUNCATE
is a Data Definition Language (DDL) command. This fundamental difference influences their behavior and capabilities.
Transaction Management (Commit and Rollback)
Rollback support varies across database systems:
-
SQL Server & PostgreSQL: Both
TRUNCATE
andDELETE
support rollbacks. -
Oracle:
TRUNCATE
cannot be rolled back (due to its DDL nature), even if the operation fails.
Storage Space
TRUNCATE
reclaims the physical storage space used by the removed rows. DELETE
does not, leaving the space available for reuse but not immediately freeing it.
Row Selection
DELETE
allows selective row deletion using WHERE
clauses. TRUNCATE
removes all rows unconditionally.
Applicable Object Types
DELETE
works on tables and cluster tables. TRUNCATE
primarily operates on tables (system-specific variations may exist).
Data Object Identity (Oracle Specific)
In Oracle, DELETE
preserves the data object ID, while TRUNCATE
assigns new IDs unless the table is entirely empty.
Data Recovery (Flashback - Oracle Specific)
Oracle's flashback feature allows recovery of data after a DELETE
operation, but not after a TRUNCATE
.
Required Privileges
Privilege requirements differ:
-
Oracle:
DELETE
requiresDELETE
privileges, whileTRUNCATE
needsDROP ANY TABLE
privileges.
Logging (Redo/Undo)
TRUNCATE
generates minimal redo and undo logs, resulting in faster execution. DELETE
generates significantly more.
Index Management (Oracle Specific)
In Oracle, TRUNCATE
automatically rebuilds disabled indexes. DELETE
does not.
Foreign Key Constraints
TRUNCATE
will fail if foreign key constraints referencing the table exist. DELETE
behavior depends on the foreign key configuration.
Locking
TRUNCATE
requires an exclusive table lock, while DELETE
uses a shared lock. This can impact concurrency.
Triggers
DML triggers are not fired by TRUNCATE
. Oracle, however, supports DDL triggers.
Remote Execution (Oracle Specific)
Oracle does not permit TRUNCATE
execution via database links.
Identity Columns (SQL Server Specific)
In SQL Server, TRUNCATE
resets IDENTITY
column sequences, unlike DELETE
.
Result Set
DELETE
typically returns the number of affected rows. TRUNCATE
generally does not.
By understanding these critical differences, you can select the optimal command for your specific SQL data manipulation task, maximizing efficiency and data integrity.
The above is the detailed content of TRUNCATE vs. DELETE in SQL: When to Use Which?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

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