B5 - What is SQL and why is it important?

In order to understand the capabilities and potential applications of many of the software packages that are being utilized in design firms today, a user must first analyze the mechanisms that operate behind the interface. In many cases, these processes are predicated on a series of relational databases. The structure of a relational database is such that information is stored in tabular format which links certain parameter values together by row. These rows are typically keyed and have the capability of being able to communicate both with information stored in a similar table or even in adjacent tables.

Structured Query Language, or SQL, is the key to unlocking the potential of relational databases.

With SQL, programs are able to communicate with the data stored in tables. These communication processes include searching for particular data or reorganizing data in a specific manner. While other languages exist for performing similar functions, SQL has been recognized by the American National Standards Institute and therefore is the most widely used in the industry. Some companies that use this include Oracle, the Microsoft SQL Server, and Amazon Web Service, all of which are relied upon by numerous institutions for operations. 

SQL is both a highly impactful and highly flexible framework within which programmers can work to create powerful tools for users. Typical commands include “select”, “insert”, “update”, “delete” and create, allowing for a very simple and approachable base from which these tools can be created. However, SQL also allows for the creation of proprietary syntax and extensions that can perform highly specialized functions in an efficient manner. This is because relational databases can be constructed in such a way that items can be retrieved quickly by SQL and equally as efficiently translated to a format that appears on the program’s “front end”.

SQL is important because programs, especially some of the highly sophisticated BIM examples that have been shown in this course, rely on a massive amount of data in order to perform their intended functions. While data storage formats (databases) are important and fully necessary, this stored data is useless if it is unable to be retrieved and manipulated. SQL fills this void and gives programmers the middleman necessary to put this data to use.

Sources:

“Indiana University Indiana University Indiana University.” What Are the AT and Baby AT Form Factors?, kb.iu.edu/d/ahux.

“What Is a Relational Database? – Amazon Web Services (AWS).” Amazon, Amazon, aws.amazon.com/relational-database/.

Comments:

Christian,

You mentioned Moore’s law in reference to the growth and establishment of SQL as the industry standard. This is interesting because I had only really heard of this law in reference to processing power in computers, so it was enlightening to hear it applied to other situations.

Yicheng,

I really enjoyed the way in which you organized your post, clearly defining the characteristics and advantages of SQL. Can you also think of some drawbacks with SQL? Are there ways that the industry could improve on this to create faster, more powerful software?

Alec,

I agree with your statement that there are many possibilities for database implementation in the AEC industry. It will be interesting to see the rate at which this is adopted given the traditionally slow-moving nature of this industry.