QandAs: Tech

What is SQL?

Answer:
SQL stands for “structured query language”

and is commonly pronounced and sometimes written “sequel.” SQL is a computer language that allows for the use of more natural English than most computer languages when looking up information in relational databases.

SQL was developed in the 1970s at IBM to work with and retrieve information from IBMs first relational database product. Since that time, several vendors have developed relational database products that take SQL style queries, including at least one open source product.

The most common language element used within the SQL language are “queries” which are performed with a SELECT command and allow users to describe the desired data to appear in columns of a table. The SQL computer language is divided into several sub-categories of language elements beyond queries, including statements, predicates, and clauses. Each sub-category can change the level of specificity of the data retrieved or change the presentation of the output.