[dead] Advantages of SQL?

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Syntac
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[dead] Advantages of SQL?

Post by Syntac »

I've mostly shied away from SQL because it would require me to learn a whole new programming language. My projects use secure flat-file databases, and that approach has worked amazingly so far. What are the advantages of using an SQL database?
Last edited by Syntac on Sat Oct 25, 2008 3:37 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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onion2k
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Re: Advantages of SQL?

Post by onion2k »

You can do things that are very difficult with a flat file. Joins, triggers, views, stored procedures, transactions etc. They're more secure because the data isn't easily accessible from outside the database. Plus, as databases have had tens of thousands of hours development by some very clever people so they're a lot faster than files.
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Syntac
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Re: Advantages of SQL?

Post by Syntac »

I'm sure I'd be converted here and now if I knew what joins, triggers, views, and stored procedures were.

I challenge you to turn me into a devout SQL user.
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califdon
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Re: Advantages of SQL?

Post by califdon »

SQL is just a protocol to interface with databases. As a language, it's probably the very simplest one in existence.

The real question you should be asking is, What are the advantages of using relational databases?

My answer to that is that since 1970, when relational database theory was developed and published, we have been able to develop systems like online commerce, search engines, nationwide criminal justice systems, credit card and banking systems, manufacturing process systems, etc. These systems could never have been designed with flat files. If you just want to store your Christmas shopping list or recipes, you don't need a relational database.

Read something like: http://computer.howstuffworks.com/question599.htm
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Syntac
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Re: Advantages of SQL?

Post by Syntac »

Interesting. Although I've developed some pretty advanced flat-file databases.

C'mon, convince me!
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onion2k
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Re: Advantages of SQL?

Post by onion2k »

Syntac wrote:C'mon, convince me!
This thread is beginning to sound like you have a school assignment asking to outline the advantages of SQL databases. We've outlined the advantages, but if you want to learn more you'll have to do your own research. If you choose not to bother that's fine, just be aware that there's no way you'll get a decent web development role, nor will your applications be competitive with people who do use databases.
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califdon
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Re: Advantages of SQL?

Post by califdon »

Syntac wrote:C'mon, convince me!
Why?
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Syntac
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Re: Advantages of SQL?

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onion2k: It's pretty hard for someone who's twenty-six years old to still be in school, unless they failed a few grades. (Okay, okay, that's a pretty bad argument. Just bear with me here...)

califdon: Because I've tried to convince myself, but have never been able to come up with enough good reasons to jump in. Chances are someone here can.
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califdon
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Re: Advantages of SQL?

Post by califdon »

Syntac wrote:onion2k: It's pretty hard for someone who's twenty-six years old to still be in school, unless they failed a few grades. (Okay, okay, that's a pretty bad argument. Just bear with me here...)

califdon: Because I've tried to convince myself, but have never been able to come up with enough good reasons to jump in. Chances are someone here can.
I guess you missed my meaning. Why should I care whether or not you are convinced about something that is so easily researched by reading?
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Syntac
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Re: Advantages of SQL?

Post by Syntac »

Sounds like a rhetorical question to me.

You know what? I no longer give a damn about this thread. Just leave it to die.
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