Work

A Critique of Modern SQL And A Proposal Towards A Simple and Expressive Query Language

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The first contribution of the paper is a comprehensive critique of modern SQL, informed by an analysis of real-world SQL queries. This provides the motivation for our second contribution: the Simple ANd Expressive Query Language (SaneQL). SaneQL features a straightforward and consistent syntax, which improves its learnability and ease of implementation. Additionally, it provides extensi- bility, with the added ability to define new operators that integrate seamlessly with the existing built-in ones. Unlike most data frame APIs and NoSQL query languages, SaneQL fully embraces the core principles behind SQL, especially multiset semantics. We propose that adopting SaneQL’s approach can ensure the enduring success of relational database technology, offering the power of SQL’s underlying concepts through a more accessible and flexible language

Source: Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.14843458

Authors: Neumann, Thomas, Leis, Viktor

Institution: Technical University of Munich

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Database Systems and Queries

Subfield: Computer Networks and Communications

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: European Commission

Award: G3431448460