One of the features of SQL that makes it very attractive is the interactive capabilities for writing queries. Many of us use SQL to write a quick query to ask a question. Based on the results, we write another query, or enhance the query just executed. This process continues until we find the results we need, or have to take a break.
There are few tools or languages that work as effortlessly as SQL for querying. I continue to see enhancements to non-relational data engines that add an SQL syntax layer. The goal is to provide SQL query capabilities to non-SQL stores. I’m asking myself what is the motivation for these efforts?
Are they trying to capture the base of developers already using the SQL syntax? Or does interactive SQL provide more efficient data mining, compared to other tools interacting with their engine?
The feature I find most interesting is that they are able to introduce Schema like functionality against data stores with no direct schema. It takes advantage of loosely formed data, while providing structured querying capabilities. That’s really cool. And I bet it was not very easy to implement either.
Are you using SQL querying tools on your no-SQL data sources? Leave us a comment and tells us what you thinl?
Cheers,
Ben