SQL is a bit deceptive in that it cloaks set-based operations in something apparently simple. Iterative operations are easier for most people to conceptualize—y

SQL is a bit deceptive in that it cloaks set-based operations in something apparently simple. Iterative operations are easier for most people to conceptualize—you could create a flow chart, whereas sets require a bit of math. Once you can think in terms of sets, SQL becomes a lot clearer. The issue with sets is, in my opinion, the root of problems in Object-Relational Mapping. There were other query languages that were less of a messy compromise. QUEL, for example was based more rigorously on relational calculus. I think it never took off because the dumbed-down SQL was a little easier for programmers to conceptualize initially.