Structured Query Language

   Abbreviated SQL, pronounced "[sequel]." In relational database management systems, a query language developed by IBM for use in mainframe applications.

   SQL was adopted by Oracle Corporation for use in its database management systems running on all platforms, not just mainframes, and subsequently emerged as a de facto standard for all database management packages. SQL contains about 60 commands and is used to create, modify, query, and access data organized in tables. It can be used either as an interactive interface or as embedded commands in an application:

   • Dynamic SQL statements are interactive, and they can be changed as needed. If you normally access SQL from a commandline environment, you are using dynamic SQL, which is slower than static SQL but much more flexible.

   • Static SQL statements are coded into application programs, and as a result, they do not change. These statements are usually processed by a precompiler before being bound into the application.

   Many databases implement SQL queries behind the scenes, enabling communication with database servers in systems with client/ server architecture.

   SQL is an ANSI standard in the United States, as well as a worldwide International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard.

   See also Open Database Connectivity.