About SQL
Structured Query Language (SQL) is a database computer language used to query, retrieve and manipulate data. Pronounced commonly as "sequel" and sometimes "S-Q-L," it is an important tool in managing relational databases called RDBMS (Relational Database Management Systems). Read on for a brief history of SQL that summarizes its importance and potential for future enhancements as it continues to be a dominating database management tool in the computer industry.
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History
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In the early 1970s, Donald D. Chamberlain and Raymond F. Boyce from IBM developed the first version of SQL. They called the first version as SEQUEL and designed it to query, retrieve and manipulate data stored in System R. System R was IBM's original relational database product. In 1985, IBM patented SQL; and then the following year (1986) the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Standards Organization (ISO) formally standardized it. Subsequent standardizations expanded in 1989, 1992 and 1999. SQL is a key requirement for large government computer contracts after becoming a U.S. Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS).
Function
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SQL functions as an interactive query language and provides a tool for ad-hoc database queries. Users can retrieve and display data on the screen by typing commands using SQL. As a database programming language, SQL helps programmers embed SQL commands into their application programs in order to access data in a database. As a database administration language, SQL can help define the database structure and control access to the stored data. SQL is also a client/server language, allowing computer programs to communicate over a network with databases servers that store and share data. As an Internet data access language, SQL provides a language for accessing corporate databases in an environment where Internet web servers interact with corporate data and application servers.
SQL is also a distributed database language, whereby it helps to distribute data across many connected systems. Each computer system uses DBMS (Database Management Systems) software to communicate with each other to send requests for access to data. Some network may use a mix of different DBMS products where SQL often acts as a database gateway language, allowing one brand of DBMS to communicate with another brand of DBMS..
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Misconceptions
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One of the common misconceptions about SQL is that it only works as a query tool, as its name suggests; however, SQL can do much more than just query. SQL provides data retrieval, data manipulation, access control, data sharing and data integrity. Another common misconception is that SQL is a complete computer language just like COBOL, C, C++ or Java. SQL is actually a database sub-language consisting of 40 statements that specialize in database management tasks. By embedding these SQL statements into a computer programming language such as COBOL, C or C++, the statements can extend the language and use it for database access.
Features
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Some of the major features of SQL are vendor independence, portability across computer systems, SQL standards, database relational foundation and English-like structure, interactive queries, programmatic database access, multiple views of data, complete database language, dynamic data definition, client/server architecture, enterprise application support, extensibility and object technology, Internet database access, Java integration (JDBC) and industry infrastructure. SQL also features IBM endorsement and commitment (DB2), as well as Microsoft commitment (SQL Server, ODBC and ADO).
Potential
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Since becoming the standard database language, SQL and SQL-based relational databases are one of the most important foundation technologies used for single and multi-user environments in today's computer market. SQL started dominating the market ever since its first commercial implementation. Companies, such as IBM, Microsoft and other DBMS vendors, continue to embrace and back SQL as it continues to be a dominant standard for enterprise-class data management. Its portability and scalability make SQL more accessible to personal computers, including hand-held devices and microcomputers. SQL continues to be the standard database technology for Internet-based computing. Continued enhancement will only make SQL a stronger presence in the industry as one of the most important tools for database management.
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