# Back to Basics: Writing PostgreSQL

As web developers, we often rely on Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) tools for our database needs. While these tools offer us great abstractions, we often lose touch with the basics of writing raw SQL. So, let's take a step back and revisit the fundamentals of PostgreSQL.

## **Creating a Table**

Start by creating a table. In our case, let's create a table named 'books'.

```pgsql
CREATE TABLE books (
    id SERIAL PRIMARY KEY,
    title VARCHAR(100),
    author VARCHAR(100),
    publish_date DATE
);
```

## **Inserting Data**

Next, let's insert some data into our table.

```pgsql
INSERT INTO books (title, author, publish_date)
VALUES ('The Great Gatsby', 'F. Scott Fitzgerald', '1925-04-10');
```

## **Reading Data**

To read data, we use the SELECT statement. Here's how you can get all the books from the table:

```pgsql
SELECT * FROM books;
```

Output:

```pgsql
id |         title         |       author        | publish_date
----+-----------------------+---------------------+--------------
 1  | The Great Gatsby     | F. Scott Fitzgerald | 1925-04-10
```

## **Updating Data**

If you want to change the data in your table, you can use the UPDATE statement. Let's update the publish date of 'The Great Gatsby':

```pgsql
UPDATE books SET publish_date = '1926-04-10' WHERE id = 1;
```

## **Deleting Data**

Finally, to delete data, we use the DELETE statement. To remove 'The Great Gatsby' from our table:

```pgsql
DELETE FROM books WHERE id = 1;
```

That's the basics of writing PostgreSQL! Remember, while ORMs are powerful tools, sometimes going back to the basics can get you out of a sticky situation when you don't have anything else.

Happy Coding!