How to update and delete with SQL — Basic

SQL / Knex Raw SQL

Modify or remove rows using UPDATE and DELETE with appropriate WHERE clauses.

Learn: Always include WHERE on UPDATE and DELETE unless you intend to touch every row. Check `rowCount` or RETURNING to confirm something actually changed—return 404 when no row matched.

Supplementary examples

Update and delete by id

UPDATE pastes SET name = 'Renamed' WHERE paste_id = 3;
DELETE FROM pastes WHERE paste_id = 3;

Course example

UPDATE employees
SET job_title = 'Chemical Engineer II', city = 'Lawrenceville'
WHERE job_title = 'Chemical Engineer' AND city = 'Trenton';

Additional references & examples

UPDATE
Modify existing rows with WHERE clauses.
DELETE
Remove rows safely with filters.