SQL History

sql - historical information

In the '60's database software required the use of complex mainframe machines that were difficult to maintain and run. Information technologists worked around the clock monitoring, updating, and manually uncorrupting these machines.

Each mainframe ran different software from different manufacturers. IBM pulled ahead in software development internationally with efforts of software aimed at database management. The problem was that each mainframe ran a different type of "language".

Enter SQL, the new standard for any database program: Structured Query Language. SQL bridged the barriers between mainframes and allowed large corporations to network their efforts. SQL was introduced in the 1970's and quickly gained international popularity. SQL allows a programmer to tell a program exactly what data to retrieve and how to display it.

sql - under development

Software at the time was still underdeveloped and several continuous problems plagued database storage. Transactions happening at the same time were often combined, mixed together, or even lost altogether. For instance, say two individuals made a deposit at exactly the same time from two different locations. The software was unable to cope with this, and their bank transactions were completely switched. Suzy deposited $10,000 while Joe withdrew $15. Because of the faulty software Joe's withdrawal was posted on Suzy's account and Suzy's deposit was posted to Joe's account.

Along came Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS). This software is still being used and is quite powerful. Relational databases allow developers to build relationships between databases and tables. This provides tremendous opportunities for data management and is still the favorite software used today. MySQL, SQL Server, DB2, and Oracle are all RDBMSs, and each have a substantial hold in the market share to this day.