Cassandra Query Language (CQL)

Cassandra Query Language (CQL) is the native query language of Apache Cassandra®. You can use CQL to interact with Astra DB, Hyper-Converged Database (HCD), DataStax Enterprise (DSE), and Cassandra databases. CQL syntax is similar to SQL, but includes key differences to interact with distributed, non-relational data.

CQL includes Data Definition Language (DDL), Data Manipulation Language (DML), Data Control Language (DCL), and Session/Utility commands. DDL commands are used to create, alter, and drop keyspaces, tables, and other database objects. DML commands are used to insert, update, delete, and query data in tables. DCL commands are used to manage access to database objects. Session/Utility commands are used to manage the session context and perform various utility functions. Each database product supports a slightly different set of CQL commands.

To get started with CQL, see the CQL quickstart and CQL tools.