SQL relational and logical operators

Code pattern

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Definition

Relational operators: CONTAINS, DOES NOT CONTAIN, EQUALS, NOT EQUAL TO, GREATER THAN (OR EQUAL TO), LESS THAN (OR EQUAL TO). Logical operators: AND, OR, NOT. Put text and dates in quotes.

Example

WHERE Name CONTAINS 'war' AND Cost < 50

Found in: course specifications, 2025 HSC marking guidelines, past SDD papers.

Where you'll use it in the test

Syllabus area: Code patterns.

Question types it can appear in

SQL: Write or read it in the SQL query tool.
Code reading: Code or algorithm reading: interpret a fragment and state its output or purpose.

Where it has appeared in the paper

Programming for the Web (Part A). Part letters follow each paper’s own layout.

How to use it

A model sentence

General advice, built from the definition and example above

Code pattern: “Relational operators: CONTAINS, DOES NOT CONTAIN, EQUALS, NOT EQUAL TO, GREATER THAN (OR EQUAL TO), LESS THAN (OR EQUAL TO).” Then apply it: WHERE Name CONTAINS 'war' AND Cost < 50

In a short answer, give the definition in your own words first, then tie it to the situation in the question. Do not copy the example above unless it fits the scenario.

Official worked answer

2025 HSC Q21 (4 marks): SQL queries (4 marks): official criteria and sample answer

Criteria

4: Correct SQL query that extracts 'Pending' and 'Escalated' jobs for the 'Software' and 'Hardware' categories, counts the jobs for each status in each category, and outputs results in descending order. 3: Addresses most requirements. 2: Some understanding of the problem. 1: Some understanding of SQL or the problem.

Sample answer

SELECT Category, Status, COUNT(JobID) AS Jobs FROM Issues WHERE (Status = 'Pending' OR Status = 'Escalated') GROUP BY Status, Category ORDER BY Jobs DESC

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Go deeper

Flashcard: SQL relational and logical operators in Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12) · study that set
Memorise: SQL: HSC syntax and must-know queries
Full term page: every question, note and marking comment for SQL relational and logical operators

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Write or say the “SQL relational and logical operators” pattern from memory: the syntax and what it does.

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