User Guide

Chapter 3: Querying a Database 21

• Performs SQL commands that are enclosed within the block.

• Returns query variable values to the page.

CFQUERY tag syntax

You’ll type SQL here

</CFQUERY>

In this example, the query code tells ColdFusion to:

• Use the

CompanyInfo data source to connect to the company.mdb database.

• Store the retrieved data in the query variable EmpList.

In general, you should follow these guidelines:

• The CFQUERY tag is a block tag, that is, it has an opening <CFQUERY> and

ending </CFQUERY> tag.

• Use the NAME attribute to name the query variable so that you can reference it

later on the page.

• Use the DATASOURCE attribute to name an existing data source that should be

used to connect to a specific database.

• Always surround attribute values with double quotes (").

• Place SQL statements inside the CFQUERY block to tell the database what to

process during the query.

• When referencing text literals in SQL, use single quotes (’). For example, Select

* from mytable WHERE FirstName=’Russ’

selects every record from mytable

in which the first name is Russ.

Note The data source must exist in order to perform a successful query.

Writing SQL

In between the begin and end CFQUERY tags, write the SQL that you want the

database to execute.

For example, to retrieve data from a database:

• Write a SELECT statement that lists the fields or columns that you want to

select for the query.

• Follow the SELECT statement with a FROM clause that specifies the database

tables that contain the columns.

Tip If you are using ColdFusion Studio, you can use the Query Builder to

build SQL statements by graphically selecting the tables, and records

within those tables you want to retrieve. See Using ColdFusion Studio for

details.