its a little known fact...


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  1. #1
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    its a little known fact...

    Ever wondered why some IT acronyms are spelled out while it seems like some are sounded out? SQL has always annoyed me like this ('sequel' versus 'ess-que-ell') until I came across this today:

    The history of SQL and relational databases traces back to E.F. Codd, an IBM researcher who first published an article on the relational database idea in June 1970. Codd's article started a flurry of research, including a major project at IBM. Part of this project was a database query language named SEQUEL, an acronym for Structured English Query Language. The name was later changed to SQL for legal reasons, but many people still pronounce it SEQUEL to this day. IBM published many articles in technical journals about it's SQL database language, and in the late 70's two other companies were started to develop similar products, which became Oracle and Ingres. By 1985 Oracle claimed to have over 1000 installations. In the late 80's and early 90's SQL products multiplied and became virtually the standard for database management in medium to large organizations, especially on UNIX and mainframes.
    Source: http://www.provue.com/proVUE/Fact_SQLServer.html

    I found this background pretty interesting and wanted to share it (assuming I wasn't the last person to hear about this )

    Anyone else have any interesting information tidbits they'd like to share?
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  2. #2
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    Wow, that was interesting. That always bothered me too. We use SQL at work and it annoyed me to hear someone call it sequel, but now I know there is at least a good reason for it.
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  3. #3
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    Wow...

    Light of enlightenment from history...

    These days I get quite a lot of that...
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    Mono, the open source .Net equivalent, I had thought was named "Mono" for being "one" or "only". It turns out it was named after something else:
    " What does the name "Mono" mean?

    Mono is the word for 'monkey' in Spanish. We like monkeys. "
    Mono FAQ



    So if your business is to build and deploy cross-platform .NET Applications, would you tell people you were involved in some monkey business?
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  5. #5
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    Looks like I better start making up a new programming language, call it "burro" and open up a donkey business.

    "What can be said at all can be said clearly, and what we cannot talk about we must pass over in silence."

    Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus by Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889-1951)

  6. #6
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    Wink Re: it's a little known fact...

    Hello, Parcival.
    Quote Originally Posted by Parcival
    Looks like I better start making up a new programming language, call it "burro" and open up a donkey business.
    I would be careful about considering such a name for a programming language, given the fact that there is a three-letter word beginning with 'a' that, in English, is a synomyn for a burro or a donkey.

    On the other hand, I am sure, with your talent and knowledge, Parcival, that the "burro" language would be great! It would, no doubt, win various "Kick A__" awards.

    It seems like, in life, there is always a catch somewhere.

    I have just posted the silliest message I've written on JustLinux, Parcival, and I actually have two serious questions that I need to ask -- but I think now is perhaps not the best time.

    Cordially,

    David

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  7. #7
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    APL - A Programming Language

    APL is one of the most powerful, consistent and concise computer programming languages ever devised.

    http://www.sigapl.org/whyapl.htm


    Check out the Table: "How Does APL Compare with other Languages"

    Interesting though, I've never heard anybody call this 'apple'.

    Oh, and I've always said 'ess-que-ell'. People I know who actualy use SQL call it sequel.
    Last edited by bs_texas; 06-03-2006 at 02:33 AM.
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  8. #8
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    If we did start calling it "Apple," then we could turn APL into another recursive acronym that I hate:
    APL = Apple Programming Language = APL Programming Language

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by DavidMD
    I would be careful about considering such a name for a programming language
    Yeah, but I am desperate at keeping up with hard candy's insane pun count.

    "What can be said at all can be said clearly, and what we cannot talk about we must pass over in silence."

    Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus by Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889-1951)

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