Truncate vs. Delete: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sumera Saeed || Updated on October 17, 2023
Truncate removes all rows without logging individual row deletions; delete removes specific rows and logs them.
Key Differences
DELETE is a Data Manipulation Language (DML) command while TRUNCATE is a Data Definition Language (DDL) command.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 01, 2015
TRUNCATE is much faster as compare to DELETE as it instantly erase the all data.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 01, 2015
‘WHERE’ condition is required in DELETE. . If the ‘WHERE’ clause is omitted from the statement, all rows in the table are deleted. But we can’t specify ‘WHERE’ clause in a ‘TRUNCATE TABLE’ statement as it is all or nothing.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 01, 2015
DELETE removes some or all rows from a table while TRUNCATE remove all rows.
Janet White
Oct 01, 2015
DELETE causes all DELETE triggers on the table to fire while no triggers are fired on during TRUNCATE operation because it is not applicable on individual rows.
Sara Rehman
Oct 01, 2015
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Delete can be used with indexed views while TRUNCATE can’t be uses with indexed views.
Sara Rehman
Oct 01, 2015
DELETE is executed using a row lock and each row in the table is locked for deletion while TRUNCATE is executed using a table lock and all table is locked for remove all records.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 01, 2015
In the realm of database operations, both truncate and delete play pivotal roles in data management. Truncate is a swift operation that removes all rows from a table without logging each individual row deletion. It effectively resets a table, making it empty. Conversely, delete is a more meticulous process that removes specific rows based on conditions, logging each row deletion, which can be a slower operation.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 17, 2023
Truncate, due to its nature of not logging individual row deletions, is faster and more efficient when the goal is to empty a table completely. However, this comes at the expense of not being able to specify conditions for deletions. Delete, while more resource-intensive, provides the flexibility to specify which rows to remove, using conditions in the WHERE clause of the SQL statement.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 17, 2023
One noteworthy distinction is that truncate resets the identity column's seed value, if one exists in the table. If you were to insert new data post-truncation, the identity column would start from its seed value. Delete, in contrast, doesn't affect the identity column's current value. If you deleted certain rows and added new ones, the identity column would continue incrementing from its last assigned value.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 17, 2023
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In terms of transactions, truncate is a minimally logged operation, which means that only the deallocation of data pages is logged, not the individual rows. This makes it less suitable for scenarios where detailed transaction logs are crucial. Delete, given its row-by-row operation, creates more extensive logs, making it more apt for situations demanding detailed transaction records.
Sara Rehman
Oct 17, 2023
Comparison Chart
Conditions
No conditions; removes all rows
Can specify conditions for row removal
Sumera Saeed
Oct 17, 2023
Identity Column Impact
Resets seed value
Doesn't reset; continues from last value
Sumera Saeed
Oct 17, 2023
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Truncate and Delete Definitions
Truncate
Truncate is a database operation.
It's advisable to back up data before a truncate.
Sara Rehman
Oct 17, 2023
Delete
Delete does not reset the identity column's value.
Post-delete, the identity column value remained unchanged.
Janet White
Oct 17, 2023
Truncate
Truncate doesn't log individual row deletions.
The log was concise after the truncate operation.
Sara Rehman
Oct 17, 2023
Delete
Delete operates on rows in a database table.
Using delete, they removed all entries from the year 2015.
Sara Rehman
Oct 17, 2023
Truncate
Truncate resets a table's identity column seed.
After the truncate, the first new entry was numbered '1'.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 17, 2023
Delete
Delete is a more resource-intensive operation.
They avoided using delete during peak hours due to its demand on resources.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 17, 2023
Truncate
Truncate removes all rows from a table.
To quickly clear the table, he chose to truncate it.
Huma Saeed
Oct 17, 2023
Delete
Delete logs each individual row deletion.
The extensive log captured every detail from the delete operation.
Huma Saeed
Oct 17, 2023
Truncate
Truncate is a minimally logged operation.
Given the absence of row details, the truncate kept the log ligh
Janet White
Oct 17, 2023
Delete
Delete removes specific rows based on conditions.
To remove outdated records, he used a delete command.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 17, 2023
Truncate
To shorten or reduce
The script was truncated to leave time for commercials.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 01, 2015
Delete
To cancel, strike out, or make impossible to be perceived
Deleted the expletives from the transcript with a marker.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 01, 2015
Truncate
To shorten (a number) by dropping one or more digits after the decimal point.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 01, 2015
FAQs
Can truncate be used to remove specific rows?
No, truncate removes all rows without conditions.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 17, 2023
Are both truncate and delete reversible?
If within a transaction and not committed, yes. However, post-commit, a backup would be required.
Sara Rehman
Oct 17, 2023
What does truncate do in a database?
Truncate swiftly removes all rows from a table without logging each row's deletion.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 17, 2023
What happens to a table's identity column after truncation?
It resets to its seed value.
Sara Rehman
Oct 17, 2023
Why might delete be preferred despite being slower?
For its flexibility to specify which rows to remove and for detailed logging.
Harlon Moss
Oct 17, 2023
Does truncating a table remove its structure?
No, it only removes the data, not the table's schema.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 17, 2023
Which operation is safer for crucial data?
Delete, as it allows for more specific conditions and detailed logging.
Janet White
Oct 17, 2023
Can both operations be used in all databases?
While widely supported, there might be specific implementations or restrictions in certain databases.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 17, 2023
Can you truncate a table with foreign key constraints?
Typically, no; constraints can prevent truncation.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 17, 2023
Is it possible to rollback after a delete or truncate?
If executed within a transaction and not committed, yes. Otherwise, recovery from backups is necessary.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 17, 2023
Which operation requires more system resources?
Delete, particularly for large datasets, due to its row-by-row operation.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 17, 2023
Is delete a faster operation than truncate?
No, delete is generally slower due to its logging of individual rows.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 17, 2023
Why might one use truncate over delete?
For a quicker, less logged operation to entirely clear a table.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 17, 2023
How does delete differ from truncate?
Delete removes specific rows based on conditions and logs each row, while truncate clears all rows without detailed logging.
Huma Saeed
Oct 17, 2023
Do both operations free up space in the database?
Yes, but the space might not be immediately released to the operating system.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 17, 2023
In terms of data integrity, which is more reliable?
Delete, given its detailed logging and ability to specify conditions.
Sumera Saeed
Oct 17, 2023
Can delete affect a table's identity column?
No, delete doesn't reset the identity column's current value.
Sara Rehman
Oct 17, 2023
Which operation is more log-intensive?
Delete, as it logs every row's deletion.
Janet White
Oct 17, 2023
What should be done before truncating a table?
Backup the data if it's valuable, as truncation is swift and thorough.
Sara Rehman
Oct 17, 2023
Can I use a WHERE clause with truncate?
No, truncate doesn't support conditions.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 17, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
