The Database Programming Language

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History | Significant Language Features | Areas of Application | Sample Programs
Related Links | Printed References | Acknowledgments

SQL originated in one of IBM’s research laboratories, as did relational database theory. In the early 1970s, as IBM researchers performed early development on relational DBMS system, they created a data sublanguage to operate on these systems. 

"A Relational Model of Data for Large Shared Data Banks," by Dr. E. F. Codd, was published in June 1970 in the Association of Computer Machinery (ACM) journal, Communications of the ACM. Codd's model is now accepted as the definitive model for relational database management systems (RDBMS). The language, Structured English Query Language ("SEQUEL") was developed by IBM Corporation, Inc., to use Codd's model. SEQUEL later became SQL (still pronounced "sequel"). In 1979, Relational Software, Inc. (now Oracle Corporation) introduced the first commercially available implementation of SQL. Today, SQL is accepted as the standard RDBMS language.

• Retrieveing Data
• Filtering Data
• Creating Calculated Fields
• Data Manipulation Functions
• Summarizing Data
• Grouping Data
• Subqueries
• Joining Tables
• Combining Queries
• Insertng, Updating and Deleting Data
• Creating and Manipulating Tables

• Configuring ODBC Data Sources
• Using Allaire ColdFUsion
• Using DB2
• Using Informix Dynamic Server 7.x
• Using Microsoft Access
• Using Microsoft ASP
• Using Microsoft Query
• Using Microsoft SQL Server
• Using Microsoft Visual Basic
• Using Microsoft Visual C++
• Using Oracle
• Using Sybase

• SELECT

• SQL Tutorial - a brief introduction to SQL.
• SQL Tutorial and Interpreter - web based tutorial offers a practice database.
• Ask The SQL Pro - Get answers to your questions about SQL and relational databases.
• SubMain - provides resource index, vendor directory, tutorials, free code, sample projects, and more for Visual Basic, SQL Server and Active Server Pages.

1. Allen G. Taylor (1998). SQL - A Reference For The Rest Of US!.  Published by IDG Books Worldwide, Inc, California.
2. Ben Forta (September 1999). SAMS SQL.  Sams Publishing, NY.

Thanks to SubMain webpage who provides the SELECT example.