DELETE vs TRUNCATE: Key Differences
Delete and Truncate are two different types of operations with the following distinctions:
- The delete operation is used to remove data rows from a table. It can delete rows that meet specific conditions or all the data in the table. This operation deletes data row by row and triggers related triggers and constraints during the deletion process.
- Truncate operation clears all data from a table by deleting all data rows while preserving the table’s structure and indexes. It is a faster method as it deletes data rows by releasing table space.
In general, Delete is more flexible as it allows for data deletion based on conditions, but it is relatively slower; whereas Truncate is faster but can only clear all data from the table. Depending on the specific needs and circumstances, one can choose to use Delete or Truncate to delete data from the table.