A set of commands used to create, modify, and delete database structures is a fundamental aspect of database management. This set facilitates the design and maintenance of the database schema, defining the tables, indexes, views, and other elements within a database. For example, statements like CREATE TABLE, ALTER TABLE, and DROP TABLE are essential for establishing and evolving the databases organization.
The capacity to precisely define the database structure ensures data integrity and consistency. It enables database administrators and developers to enforce rules and constraints, optimize performance, and manage access control effectively. Historically, the standardization of these commands across various database systems has simplified application development and data portability.