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I S P  G L O S S A R Y
Your source for the most up-to-date terms, definitions, and acronyms for and about internet service providers.

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SQL
Last modified: Wednesday, March 10, 2004 

Abbreviation of structured query language, and pronounced either see-kwell or as separate letters. SQL is a standardized query language for requesting information from a database. The original version called SEQUEL (structured English query language) was designed by an IBM research center in 1974 and 1975. SQL was first introduced as a commercial database system in 1979 by Oracle Corporation.

Historically, SQL has been the favorite query language for database management systems running on minicomputers and mainframes. Increasingly, however, SQL is being supported by PC database systems because it supports distributed databases (databases that are spread out over several computer systems). This enables several users on a local-area network to access the same database simultaneously.

Although there are different dialects of SQL, it is nevertheless the closest thing to a standard query language that currently exists. In 1986, ANSI approved a rudimentary version of SQL as the official standard, but most versions of SQL since then have included many extensions to the ANSI standard. In 1991, ANSI updated the standard. The new standard is known as SAG SQL.

  Related Links

SQL Tutorial 
This unique introductory SQL tutorial not only provides easy-to-understand SQL instructions but allows you to practice what you learn using the on-line SQL interpreter.

JCC's SQL Standard Page
A central source of information about the SQL standards process and its current state.

SQL.org
A portal to SQL on the Web. Links to current SQL tutorials, FAQ's, local groups, listserves, newsgroups, SQL discussion forums, tips, SQL syntax and tag guides, free software, SQL applications in action, SQL books and magazines.

The SQL Standards FAQ
Provides information on SQL, SQL1, SQL2, and SQL3. In addition, many of the SQL reserved words are listed here.

Database Journal
An excellent resource for database professionals.

Protecting Yourself from SQL Injection Attacks
A common example of SQL injection and how to avoid it.

SQL Standards
A central source of information about the SQL standards process and its current state.

Related Categories

Databases

Programming Languages

Queries

Related Terms

database management system

distributed database

JDBC

MySQL

Oracle

query

query language

SQL injection

SQL Server

stored procedure

trigger

T-SQL