Areas of use of SQL. Most of the IT solutions found today require the implementation of a database management system to function properly. Indeed, data is at the heart of this digital transition that we have been constantly undergoing in recent years. The language most used to interact with this data has long been SQL. In this article, we will see the areas in which we can use this language, which continues to expand despite its age.
SQL: what is it?
SQL or Structured Query Language is a programming language created by Edgar Frank Codd and then developed by Donald Chamberlin and Raymond Boyce in 1970. It is therefore a fifty-year-old language for interacting with the databases of relational data.
For information, a relational database is a data storage system structured in the form of a table. Each table contains attributes called fields whose name, data format, and other constraints relating to its manipulation are specified. It is in these tables that we will store the data which is in the form of rows. SQL, therefore, makes it possible to manipulate RDBMSs through queries.
SQL is a declarative and relational language offering ascensional and set queries. Unlike so-called procedural or functional languages, it does not allow, for example, to perform loops or calculations.
Why use SQL?
If this language has managed to preserve its reputation for so long, it is because it provides many advantages to its users, even if many competitors are trying to dethrone it. Here are the main reasons why we always prefer to use it rather than the others:
- The queries are therefore easily executed and the results correspond perfectly to what is expected;
- Most of the databases found in companies are relational and structured, regardless of the type of storage system they use. These are the types of systems that can be treated with the SQL language. This language has therefore become a standard within companies;
- It is a language tested, approved, and used for more than 50 years. Its reliability is therefore no longer to be discussed;
- If you plan to work in the world of IT, in particular, to become a developer, data analyst, data scientist, etc., you must master it or at least learn the basics of this language;
- There are many documents to learn it. And in case of blockage, a huge community is present to help.
When to use SQL?
- DDLs or Data Definition Languages that allow you to create, modify or delete tables, views, constraints, or even the database itself;
- DML or data manipulation language i.e. queries to interact with the database, namely to perform insertion, update, selection, or deletion operations;
- The DCL or data control language to manage the access privileges of each user of the database and thus give them the appropriate authorizations;
Thanks to the definition of these types of sub-languages, we can already see the circumstances of the use of SQL.
MySQL
Indeed, whether companies or individuals (independent developers or students), everyone has turned to this system. The reason for this is that it is open-source, easy to use, and maintain.
PostgreSQL
PostgreSQL is the direct competitor of MySQL, as both are open source. It is cross-platform, meaning that you can use it regardless of the operating system you have. And compared to other systems, it is the one that respects the standard SQL syntax the most.
Microsoft SQL Server
This is Microsoft’s database management system. It therefore only works on Windows operating systems as well as Windows servers.
Oracle Database
There are several versions of Oracle Database, ranging from free to professional. It is also cross-platform and suitable for all platforms, be it physical machines, servers, or the cloud.
