Database Toolbox

When to Use the Visual Query Builder

If you want to retrieve information from relational databases for use in MATLAB and you are not familiar with the Structured Query Language (SQL) and database applications, use the Visual Query Builder.

If you are familiar with SQL and your database applications, use the Visual Query Builder to easily build SQL queries and import query results into MATLAB, or use Database Toolbox functions instead.

Note that when you use the VQB, it automatically generates and displays the SQL statement for the query. Therefore, you can copy and paste the SQL statements you generate using the VQB into MATLAB code that uses Database Toolbox functions.

When to Use Database Toolbox Functions

You must use Database Toolbox functions rather than the Visual Query Builder to

• Export results from MATLAB to databases.
• Write MATLAB applications that access databases.
• Perform functions not available with the Visual Query Builder. For example, if you want to access data from tables whose names contain spaces, you need to use Database Toolbox functions since the Visual Query Builder does not support that capability.

You can also use Database Toolbox functions instead of the Visual Query Builder to import data into MATLAB.

For information on how to use the functions, see Using Functions in the Database Toolbox and Function Reference.

Getting Started with the Visual Query Builder

Examples for the Visual Query Builder