(Structured Query Language) Pronounced "S-Q-L" or "see-quill," a language used to interrogate and process data in a relational database. Originally developed by IBM for its mainframes, all database systems designed for client/server environments support SQL. SQL commands can be used to interactively work with a database or can be embedded within a programming language to interface to a database. Programming extensions to SQL have turned it into a full-blown database programming language, and all major database management systems (DBMSs) support the language.
ANSI standardized SQL, but most database management systems (DBMSs) have some proprietary enhancement, which if used, makes SQL non standard. Moving an application from one SQL database to another may require tailoring to convert some commands. The age old dilemma in this business! See MDX, CLI, ODBC and IDAPI.
The following SQL query selects customers with credit limits of at least $5,000 and puts them into sequence from highest credit limit to lowest. The blue words are SQL verbs. See SPUFI.
Natural Language and SQL
EasyAsk's English Wizard generated the SQL code in the window at the bottom from the English sentence at the top. It is amazing how much SQL is necessary to ask what looks like a simple question. (Screen shot courtesy of EasyAsk Inc.)
ANSI standardized SQL, but most database management systems (DBMSs) have some proprietary enhancement, which if used, makes SQL non standard. Moving an application from one SQL database to another may require tailoring to convert some commands. The age old dilemma in this business! See MDX, CLI, ODBC and IDAPI.
The following SQL query selects customers with credit limits of at least $5,000 and puts them into sequence from highest credit limit to lowest. The blue words are SQL verbs. See SPUFI.
select name, city, state, zipcode
from customer
where creditlimit > 4999
order by creditlimit desc
Natural Language and SQL
EasyAsk's English Wizard generated the SQL code in the window at the bottom from the English sentence at the top. It is amazing how much SQL is necessary to ask what looks like a simple question. (Screen shot courtesy of EasyAsk Inc.)
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Microsoft Windows Azure and SQL Azure
- Microsoft's Windows Azure and SQL Azure address part of organizations requirements for an open, standards based platform that can support local, private and public clouds. by Dan Kusnetzky
- Blog posts 2009-11-23
- EMS SQL Manager for SQL Server Lite 3.5.0.2 (Windows)
- EMS SQL Manager for SQL Server is a powerful tool for SQL Server administration and development. SQL Manager 2005 works with any SQL Server versions from 7 to 2005 and supports all of the latest SQL Server features including new SQL Server 2005 permission system, assemblies, DDL triggers, XML columns,...
- Software downloads 2009-11-21
- CompanionLink Professional 2.0 for Palm OS 2.0 (Mobile)
- Power in your Palm! CompanionLink Professional is a two-way synchronization solution for busy professionals that need mobile access to contacts, appointments, to-do lists, and notes. Synchronize your ACT!, GoldMine, Outlook, and Lotus Notes information with any Palm mobile device. Using multiple databases or devices? No problem. CompanionLink Professional lets you...
- Software downloads 2009-11-21
- BdContacts 1.250 (Mac)
- BdContacts is a powerful Menu Bar Contacts application that takes up very little room on your menu bar and gives you instant access to all your Address Book contacts along with extending the information stored with a contact like unlimited Notes, ToDo's, Alarms, Emails, Documents and Photos without having five...
- Software downloads 2009-11-21
- BdCalendar 1.250 (Mac)
- Why waste precious menu bar room with Apple's Date & Clock menu bar, when you can replace it with BdCalendar. BdCalendar gives you a 1,3, 6, and 12 month Calendar with iCal Event/To-do, Address Book and Notes access all from your menu bar and is only a Hot Key press...
- Software downloads 2009-11-21
- LogTen Pro 5.1.9 (Mac)
- LogTen Pro is a professional mac pilot logbook solution for pilots of all experience levels. Whether you're a CFI, operate a small charter, fly for a major airline, or just own your own plane, LogTen Pro will provide you with the tools to take control of your flight time. ...
- Software downloads 2009-11-21
- MyMoney 2.0.49 (Mac)
- My Money is a high quality personal financial software written from ground up to work with online bank statements. Simply download your transactions from bank web site and they are automatically entered into electronic register. By bringing all of your important financial information together in one place, My Money helps...
- Software downloads 2009-11-20
- CompanionLink Professional 2.0 for Pocket PC 2.0 (Mobile)
- Power in your Pocket! CompanionLink Professional is the most powerful synchronization tool for people who use Pocket PC devices with ACT!, GoldMine and Lotus Notes. CompanionLink's detailed synchronization features make the most of your PDA investment, increasing both your productivity and business contact capabilities. If you are using multiple databases,...
- Software downloads 2009-11-20
- TechWriter for Databases 2009 (Windows)
- One of the Adivo Successful Documentation Generators, TechWriter for Databases is a Windows application that generates documentation for database tables, views, functions and procedures. It supports Access, SQL Server and Oracle. TechWriter automatically generates the documentation for your database. By collecting information about the tables, views and procedures directly from...
- Software downloads 2009-11-20
- SQLEditor 1.6b17 (Mac)
- SQLEditor is a tool that allows you to create SQL databases graphically. You can create and edit table structures. You can import and export designs to a JDBC compatible database, text files or save the designs as pdf images for the web or for print.See your databases rather than just...
- Software downloads 2009-11-20
- PHP Studio 2009 2.4.3 (Windows)
- PHP Studio 2008 is an Integrated Development Environment for PHP, providing comprehensive and easy-to-use solution for editing, testing, and deploying PHP based Web applications. Main features of PHP Studio 2008 include: built-in HTTP server and internal web browser for testing PHP scripts, convenient code editor supporting configurable syntax highlighting for...
- Software downloads 2009-11-20
- DWG Miner DLL 2.4.60 (Windows)
- DWG Miner DLL is a powerful ActiveX component for quickly extracting and setting data in AutoCAD drawing DWG files. DWG Miner DLL contains many functions for updating text values, updating block attribute values, setting layers on/off/frozen/thawed, setting external reference file paths, setting image file paths, creating XML files from drawing...
- Software downloads 2009-11-20
- Abacus HelpDesk 5.0 (Windows)
- Abacus HelpDesk supports your help desk with complete service and support, call tracking, knowledge management, problem resolution, call management, statistic reports, and invoice handling. With the SQL-connection module, Abacus HelpDesk supports MS SQL server to handle large databases. Multi-language support, Citrix and Terminal server support, and remote computing.
- Software downloads 2009-11-19
- Internet Server Monitor 10.0.15 (Windows)
- Internet Server Monitor is a network monitoring tool enabling Systems Administrators to monitor network servers, services, and applications for failures as well as recoveries enabling issue identification and resolution before users report them. Internet Server Monitor handshakes with network resources and calls specific functions enabling Internet Server Monitor to determine...
- Software downloads 2009-11-19
- Asset Tracker for Networks 8.4 (Windows)
- Network inventory tool intended to audit software and hardware components installed on the computers over the network. This asset management tool will collect your network inventory information, provide the Network Administrator with the detailed comprehensive reports and allow you to export assets details to external storages, such as SQL database...
- Software downloads 2009-11-19
- Alchemy Network Inventory 8.4 (Windows)
- Network Administrators use this tool to inventory computers in the corporate networks for the software and hardware configuration, generate software licenses reports, etc. The program does not require the client module to be installed on each individual workstation, but can be configured to inventory all network computers by only copying...
- Software downloads 2009-11-19
- Alchemy Network Monitor 10.4 (Windows)
- Alchemy Network Monitor monitors your network servers and business-critical applications availability and performance and immediately alerts you if a server gets out of order. Alchemy Network Monitor can also perform certain actions (e.g. launch an external application or execute an SQL query) when a server stops responding to the programs...
- Software downloads 2009-11-19
- Alchemy Network Monitor PRO 10.4 (Windows)
- Alchemy Network Monitor monitors your network servers and business-critical applications availability and performance and immediately alerts you if a server gets out of order. Alchemy Network Monitor can also perform certain actions (e.g. launch an external application or execute an SQL query) when a server stops responding to the programs...
- Software downloads 2009-11-19
- RazorSQL 5.0.2 (Mac)
- Query, edit, browse, and manage all major databases from one database tool. RazorSQL OSX is a universal database query tool, programming and sql editor, database navigator, and administration tool with built-in connection capabilities for DB2, Derby, Firebird, FrontBase, HSQLDB, Informix, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, OpenBase, Oracle, PostgreSQL, SQL Anywhere, SQLite,...
- Software downloads 2009-11-18
- MySQL Workbench OSS 5.2.8b1 (Mac)
- MySQL Workbench enables a DBA, developer, or data architect to visually design, generate, and manage all types of databases including Web, OLTP, and data warehouse databases. It includes everything a data modeler needs for creating complex ER models, and also delivers key features for performing difficult change management and documentation...
- Software downloads 2009-11-18
Neighboring Terms
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
- Keep Up With The Latest In Document Management with The DocuMentor.
-
Doc delivers the scoop on today's enterprise content management, printer maintenance, and all other issues related to document management. It's the DocuMentor Blog.
- Learn more >>
- The best support in the Linux business
-
If Linux is going to power your mission-critical applications, you'd better have the best support known to business. Novell was rated the top provider of Linux technical support.
- Learn more >>
- The more you simplify, the more you save
-
When you transition from your existing Red Hat environment to SUSE Linux Enterprise from Novell, you can recognize dramatic cost savings, perhaps as much 50%
- Learn more >>
- New Online Dashboard for IT Leaders
-
Read about top issues IT decision-makers face every day, plus get cost-effective solutions to real-life IT problems.
- Learn more >>
Enterprise Applications
- Check out some of the easiest and most powerful ways to boost productivity while saving money on your application infrastructure. See ZDNet's comprehensive Enterprise Application resource center, now!
- New Online Dashboard
-
- Read about top issues IT decision-makers face every day, plus get cost effective solutions to real life IT problems. Oracle Topline
-
