DROP vs DELETE: Database Command Differences

Drop and delete are two distinct database operation commands, and they have the following differences:

1. The Drop operation is used to delete the entire table, including the table’s structure and data; whereas the Delete operation is used to remove data from the table while keeping the table’s structure intact.
2. The Drop operation is a DDL command that immediately deletes a table and releases all related resources, including storage space; while the Delete operation is a DML command that only deletes specific data rows from a table.
3. Once the Drop operation is executed, it cannot be undone and the deleted table cannot be recovered; however, Delete operation can be rolled back through a transaction to restore the deleted data.

In short, Drop is the operation that deletes the entire table and releases all related resources, whereas Delete is the operation that deletes specific data rows within the table. When using these two operations, it is important to choose the appropriate one based on the specific needs and circumstances.