From: Eivind Eklund Date: 2007-03-21T23:44:28+09:00 Subject: Re: Object/Relational Mapping is the Vietnam of Computer Science On 3/20/07, Gary Wright wrote: > I'm curious as to why query language development got hung up on SQL. > I've read a little bit about Tutorial D. Is SQL simply > another example of pre-mature standardization? From memory, and as far I've understood it: Sometime during the early 80s there was a rush to get relational databases out there, with several vendors producing databases and wanting an interoperable query language. As a result of some sort of differences, two different groups were formed, both creating their own attempt at a standard query language. Over time, a bunch of rivalry formed between the groups, and each of the languages they developed had advantages in some areas and disadvantages in others, so it wasn't possible to pick a single "winner", and everything kept bickering back and forth. Prestige entered, and none of the groups were politically able to give in to the other. Along came SQL, which was a toy language made by a single developer to just show have SOMETHING. It was worse than either of the proposals from the other groups, from a usability point of view (though with a couple of extra features I don't remember what was that were useful), and it was a possible political compromise. So, by shooting down BOTH groups for something that was worse, a solution was possible. Thus, we standardized on SQL. Take with a grain of salt - this is based on renderings of history I've read on the net, and reproduced from my spotty memory. Yet it's a nice story that fits very well with my feeling about SQL ("Nobody could really have meant that language SERIOUSLY, could they?") Eivind.