Difference between DELETE, DROP and TRUNCATE

Last Updated : 15 Jul, 2025

In SQL, understanding the DELETE, DROP, and TRUNCATE commands is important for efficient data management. While these commands are all used to remove data, they differ significantly in functionality, usage, and performance. Knowing when and how to use each command can improve the efficiency and integrity of our database.

In this article, we will explain these commands, highlight their differences, and provide real-world examples and outputs to help us make informed decisions.

Comparison Between DELETE, DROP, and TRUNCATE

The following table lists all the major differences between DELETE, DROP, and TRUNCATE:

Parameter	DELETE	DROP	TRUNCATE
Type	DML	DDL	DDL
Purpose	Deletes specific rows based on condition	Deletes the entire table or database	Deletes all rows but retains table structure
Syntax	`DELETE FROM table_name WHERE condition;`	`DROP TABLE table_name;`	`TRUNCATE TABLE table_name;`
Rollback Support	Can be Rollback	Cannot be Rollback	Cannot be Rollback
Data Removal	Removes selected rows	Removes table and data completely	Removes all rows
Efficiency	Slower, as each row is processed individually	Instant removal, affecting schema	Faster than DELETE but slower than DROP
Triggers	Fires triggers	Does not fire triggers	Does not fire triggers

1. DELETE Command in SQL

The DELETE command is a Data Manipulation Language (DML) operation used to remove specific rows from a table based on a given condition. With the help of the “DELETE” command, we can either delete all the rows in one go or delete rows one by one. i.e., we can use it as per the requirement or the condition using the Where clause. It is comparatively slower than the TRUNCATE command

Syntax

To delete all rows from the table

DELETE from;

To delete specific rows based on a condition

DELETE FROM table_name WHERE condition;

Note :Here we can use the “ROLLBACK” command to restore the tuple because it does not auto-commit.

2. DROP

The DROP command is a Data Definition Language (DDL) operation used to completely remove a table, its structure, and all its data from the database. Once executed, the table is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered unless from a backup.

Syntax

To drop a table:

DROP table <table_name>;

Note - Here we can’t restore the table by using the “ROLLBACK” command because it auto commits.

3. TRUNCATE

The TRUNCATE command is also a Data Definition Language (DDL) operation. It is used to remove all rows from a table efficiently, without deleting the table’s structure. By using this command the existence of all the rows of the table is lost. It is comparatively faster than the delete command as it deletes all the rows fastly.

Syntax

To truncate a table:

TRUNCATE table <table_name>;

Note: Here we can’t restore the tuples of the table by using the “ROLLBACK” command.

Conclusion

In conclusion we can use all three DELETE, DROP and TRUNCATE to delete the data in the SQL database but they serve different purposes.The DELETE command offers fine-grained control over data removal with the ability to roll back changes, while DROP permanently removes tables or databases. TRUNCATE provides a fast way to remove all data from a table without affecting its schema. Understanding these differences and knowing when to use each command can significantly enhance our database management skills and optimize performance in various scenarios.