SQL databases have a strict schema. They require you to

1. Define your schema
2. Put in data that follows that schema
3. Update the schema as your app changes and perform migrations

So there are 4 parts when using an SQL database (not connecting it to Node.js, just running it and putting data in it)

1. Running the database.
2. Using a library that let’s you connect and put data in it.
3. Creating a table and defining it’s schema.
4. Run queries on the database to interact with the data (Insert/Update/Delete)