In 2024, the world of data management celebrates a significant milestone: the 50th anniversary of SQL (Structured Query Language). This half-century journey has seen SQL evolve from an academic concept to an indispensable tool in the professional workplace.
SQL is a perennial top 10 language on the various polls and surveys for programming languages. Why? Because every sort of developer, from .NET to Python to React to Go, still uses SQL to interact with backend databases. SQL is quite literally the lingua franca of data. On top of that, data retrieval using the SQL SELECT statement is simple enough for business analysts and dashboard creators to also use. No matter what your preferred development language might be, SQL is very likely part of your development toolbox.
Let’s take a few minutes to understand its origins, rise to popularity, and future prospects
How Do You Say SQL?
I’m frequently asked at conferences and online ‘How should I say it? Is it the acronym “S-Q-L” or the phonetic “sequel”?’ I’ve even heard comments that a potential employer dismissed a job candidate simply because they didn’t say it “the right way”. Very sad. Truth be told, even though it was originally called SEQUEL, as you’ll read in a moment, there is no right way to say it, just so long as everyone knows what you mean. In my case, I use the acronym when I am referring to the programming language itself. But I use the phonetic pronunciation when referring to a specific product or dialect, as in ‘Microsoft “Sequel” Server’ or ‘Oracle PL-“Sequel”’. With pronunciations, as many things in life, flexibility is key.The Origins of SQL
The story of SQL begins in the early 1970s at IBM’s San Jose Research Laboratory. Dr. Edgar F. Codd, a British computer scientist, laid the foundation with his pioneering work on relational database theory. In 1970, Codd published a seminal paper titled “A Relational Model of Data for Large Shared Data Banks,” which introduced the concept of organizing data into tables (or relations) that could be manipulated using a high-level language. Dr. Codd’s efforts were a response to the failings of earlier database models, such as the hierarchical and CODASYL models. But SQL itself was not apart of that definition. Building on Codd’s theoretical framework, IBM researchers Donald D. Chamberlin and Raymond F. Boyce developed SEQUEL (Structured English Query Language) in the early 1970s. SEQUEL was designed to enable users to interact with and manage data stored in relational databases. The name was later shortened to SQL due to trademark issues.
Rise to Popularity
SQL’s journey from a research project to a global standard was marked by several key developments. In 1979, Relational Software, Inc. (now Oracle Corporation) released the first commercial implementation of SQL, known as Oracle V2. This marked the beginning of SQL’s widespread adoption in the business world.
In my case, I first used SQL while working on DEC RDB in the late 1980’s and then Oracle not more than a year later. Soon after, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) recognized the importance of SQL and standardized it in 1986 and 1987, respectively, providing a consistent and reliable programmatic interface for database management across many different platforms and vendors. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, SQL’s popularity soared as businesses increasingly relied on relational databases to store and manage their growing volumes of data. Major database management systems (DBMS) like IBM DB2, Sybase Adaptive Server, and Microsoft SQL Server use SQL as their primary query language.
While the DotCom hype and burgeoning open-source movement of the early 2000’s caused MySQL and PostgreSQL to boom, further cementing its status as the industry standard. Today, even the most popular NoSQL database platforms support SQL-like variants, including MongoDB, Cassandra, Amazon DynamoDB, and Google Bigtable.
SQL in the Professional Workplace
Today, SQL is ubiquitous in IT shops and the professional workplace. Its versatility and ease of use make it an essential skill for data analysts, software developers, and IT professionals. SQL allows users to perform a wide range of tasks, from querying and updating data to creating and managing database structures. One of SQL’s greatest strengths is its ability to handle large datasets efficiently using set operations, rather than manipulating data row-by-row. In an era where data is often referred to as the “new oil,” SQL’s role in extracting valuable insights from vast amounts of information cannot be overstated.
Businesses use SQL to generate reports, perform data analysis, and support decision-making processes. Moreover, SQL’s integration with various programming languages and data visualization tools enhances its utility. For instance, SQL can be used in conjunction with Python, R, Tableau, and PowerBI to create powerful data-driven applications and visualizations.
The Future of SQL
As we look to the future, SQL’s relevance shows no signs of waning. However, the landscape of data management is evolving, and SQL must adapt to these new challenges and opportunities. In fact, in conversations with friends on the ISO committee for SQL, I learned that their efforts have been focused on a new query language for graph database systems – GQL. As you may know, graph and vector database technologies are the underpinning of cutting-edge tech, such as LLMs.(Sidebar: Don’t confuse GQL with Google Query Language or with GraphQL. They’re quite different and distinct from GQL).
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are also shaping the future of SQL. Advanced analytics and predictive modeling require robust data management, and SQL remains a key component of these processes. SQL-based platforms are being enhanced with AI-driven features, such as automated query optimization and natural language processing, making data analysis more accessible and efficient.
As SQL celebrates its 50th anniversary, its journey from an academic concept to a cornerstone of modern data management is a testament to its enduring value. From its origins at IBM to its widespread adoption and future prospects, SQL has proven to be a resilient and adaptable technology. In the professional workplace, SQL continues to empower individuals and organizations to harness the power of data, driving innovation and informed decision-making. As we look ahead, SQL’s ability to evolve with emerging trends ensures that it will remain a vital tool in the ever-changing landscape of data management.
