18 ms·

I'll agree with you there. SQL is the one language that I hate, yet use constantly, and will certainly out-live me.

• weavie 10y ago
  I used to think I hated SQL until I decided I had had enough of it and I tried to do a project using a no-sql database. Suddenly everything became a lot harder and I was having to write massive amounts of code to do the things that could be done with a few lines of SQL. Even the simplest of tasks just sucked the life out of me. I soon ported the project over to use Postgres and decided that actually SQL is awesome.
  • m_fayer 10y ago
    I know exactly what you mean. I've realised that when you're solving a hard problem (complex data logic, extreme performance requirements) with SQL, you end up systematically experimenting and thinking very deeply within a rigidly defined system. With no-sql databases, you're monkeying with obscure APIs that cover up obscure, idiosyncratic, and hard-to-reason about database engines, and patching strange behavior with rickety app-layer code. Both kinds of work are hard, but with SQL you can usually expect the problem to yield to intense engagement and produce a solution that's complete, robust, and satisfying.
    • ytjohn 10y ago
      Then you learn about hstore and json store in postgresql and you realize it's the best of both worlds.