Select a SQL Web Hosting Provider

What Is It?

SQL, which stands for Structured Query Language, is a database computer language designed for the data retrieval and management in relational database management systems (RDBMS),

database schema creation and modification, and database object access control management. The first version of SQL was developed by Donald D. Chamberlin and Raymond F. Boyce at IBM in the early 1970s. The first version, called SEQUEL, was designed to manipulte and retrieve data stored in IBM’s original relational database product, System R. The SQL language later was standardized by the American National Standards Institute (ISO) standards. With the release of the SQL:1999 standard, many such extensions were formally adopted as part of the SQL language via the SQL Persistent Stored Modules (SQL/PSM) portion of the standard.

Who Is it For?

SQL is designed specifically to query data contained in a relational database. SQL is a set-based, declarative query language, not an imperative language such as C or Basic. However, extensions for SQL add procedural programming language functionality, such as control of flow constructs including Oracle’s PL/SQL, or Procedural Language/SQL, PostgreSQL, or Procedural LanguageSQL, and MySQL. Many blog writers are familiar with the latter database management system, as MySQL is incorporated as the relational database system management tool in blogging software packages.

Features

SQL works with database programs like MS Access, DB2, Informix, MS SQL Server, Oracle, Sybase, etc. Unfortunately, there are many different versions of the SQL language, but to be in compliance with the ANSI standard, they must support the same major keywords in a similar manner (such as SELECT, UPDATE, DELETE, INSERT, WHERE, and others). Many proprietary extensions have been added to SQL, so the user needs to understand the needs for the database to choose the extension along with the standard.

Compatibility

Although SQL is both an ANSI and an ISO standard, many database products support SQL with proprietary extensions to the standard language. The core of SQL is formed by a command language that allows the retrieval, insertion, updating, and deletion of data, and performing management and administrative functions. SQL also includes a call-level interface (SQL/CLI) for accessing and managing data and databases remotely.

Common criticisms of SQL include a perceived lack of cross-platform portability between vendors, inappropriate handling of missing data and unnecessarily complex and occasionally ambiguous language grammar and semantics.