Journey to SQL Authority with Pinal Dave

Posted in DBA, Database, Main, Pinal Dave, SQL, SQL Authority, SQL Download, SQL Error Messages, SQL Joins, SQL Performance, SQL Query, SQL Scripts, SQL Security, SQL Server, SQL Server DBCC, SQL Stored Procedure, SQL Tips and Tricks, T SQL, Technology | 13 Comments

13 Responses to “SQL SERVER - What is SQL? How to pronounce SQL?”

1. on August 14, 2007 at 8:47 am Greg

   Sorry, too many programmers pronounce it sequel. The language evolves as people use it. Sequel has to be added as an alternative pronunciation.

   
   
2. on August 14, 2007 at 8:53 am pinaldave

   Hi Greg,

   I totally agree with you. I pronounce it as sequel as well when talking causally. I make sure that I pronounce it as S Q L when I am speaking formally or talking in meetings.

   The reason, I posted this as I have received this question too many times, I decided to write about it.

   I am interested to see what other readers have to suggest.

   Regards,
   Pinal Dave (http://www.SQLAuthority.com)

   
   
3. on August 14, 2007 at 9:37 am Rick Mason

   I use both on a fairly regular basis and find most people I interact with do the same.

   Although interesting to note that I almost always hear SQL Server pronounced sequel server, while MySQL, is said My s.q.l.

   I think for a lot of people it depends which variation rolls off the tongue easiest based on the context of it’s usage.

   
   
4. on August 14, 2007 at 9:48 am pinaldave

   Very true Rick.

   Interesting observation.

   
   
5. on August 15, 2007 at 11:07 am David Barr

   Rick’s post most accurately describes my experience. For MS work, everything is pronounced sequel (T-SQL, SQL Server, etc) but for most everything else I and those around me tend to use S.Q.L.

   When speaking of the language in an environment agnostic context we use S.Q.L.

   I guess the more I think of it, if I say “sequel” it directly implies an MS context. For Oracle, DB2, MySQL or another other context I use S.Q.L. I’ve never really thought about it before.

   
   
6. on August 16, 2007 at 8:11 am Will

   One argument for pronouncing it as sequel is that SEQUEL is the name of the first version of SQL, developed at IBM. It stood for Structured English QUEry Language and was only changed due to a trademark issue.

   
   
7. on August 23, 2007 at 1:13 am Praveen Barath

   I heard Microsoft Web cast -They also used as SEQUEL …but i would like to inform you all guys that sequel is a word which contains its own meaning ……So to avoid a confusion Lets Spell it Correctly , S Q L …..

   What I feel is those who whould like to speak correctly then its ,
   SQL

   One more example : USA , America and states represent the same , So what is correct YOU ALL MUST KNOW .

   Am i write Pinal .

   The meaning of sequel is :
   A sequel is a work of fiction in literature, film, and other creative works that is produced after a completed work, and is set in the same “universe” but at a later time.

   
   
8. on November 26, 2007 at 10:45 am saru

   Hi,

   Let us know all the sql progrems by the help of video……by step and step than we can progress and learn more form your site……..make easy to learn and can do self by see in video programe……….

   thankyou…

   
   
9. on November 26, 2007 at 10:59 am saru

   Hi,

   SQL is a Language designed specificaly for communicating with database. There are not many keywords so SQL is simple to understand but, despite its apparent simplicity, is a powerful language.

   Thankyou…..

   
   
10. on January 23, 2008 at 8:27 am Nibs Niven

    I have worked with SQL long before Microsoft bought Sybase’s SQL DB engine and rebranded it MS-SQL. I continue to refuse to use Microsoft products because they are of low quality and high cost, and I can tell you that neither myself nor any of my unix colleagues pronounce it Ess Queue Elle, for 2 reasons:

    1) The original language was called sequel
    2) It’s easier to say than Ess Queue Elle

    Anybody who tells you that you must pronounce it one way or the other is a techno-fascist who should be challenged at every opportunity.

    PS: How do you pronounce SCSI, or JPG, or GIF, or WYSIWYG, or …

    It really doesn’t matter as long as you get your point across, does it?

    
    
11. on August 4, 2008 at 10:49 am Azim

    Azim
    This is SQL and that is all

    
    
12. on September 10, 2008 at 5:50 pm xera

    I found this a bit amusing. I remember reading about how to pronounce SQL in an official Microsoft book.

    Transact-SQL Reference
    Microsoft SQL Server, for Windows NT

    “Before You Begin

    Microsoft(r) SQL Server (pronounced “Sequel” Server) provides a powerful client-server platform…”

    Okay, it’s old, but that’s some hardcore authority!

    For a beginner, is it easier for them to say S.Q.L, or Sequel? I’d say S.Q.L …. only after they’ve read an official book, will they start calling it Sequel. And that is not evolution.

    
    
13. on November 15, 2008 at 1:36 am todd

    “Today, I plan to work on an SQL server.” (S-Q-L)

    “Tomorrow, I will make plans for a SQL server.” (sequal)

    It does matter. I’ll be glad when there is one, correct answer.