SQL (Structured Query Language)

SQL (Structured Query Language) is a programming language designed for managing data. It is used to work with relational databases in which the user looks at the data in the form of a system of linked tables. It isn’t usually used alone, but its code is inserted directly into another programming language (e.g. PHP, ASP).

SQL was standardized in 1986 (since then it has undergone several upgrades). Its development was contributed by IBM and Relational Software (now Oracle Corporation).

SQL in practice: SQL is the most widely used programming language for writing requests to a database server. Currently it is supported by almost all commonly used database platforms, such as:

• Apache Derby
• IBM DB2
• Firebird
• MySQL
• Oracle Database
• PostgreSQL
• SQLite
• Sybase