These NoSQL document stores seem to be a realization of that object database dream of years past. It's not exactly one-to-one (objects to documents) but it gets

These NoSQL document stores seem to be a realization of that object database dream of years past. It's not exactly one-to-one (objects to documents) but it gets you there quicker than a relational database could. I enjoy writing well crafted SQL queries as a currently employed database architect. But I don't find it to be all that elegant. I do think it bridges the gap between lay person and expert by being somewhat readable declarative language. For those programmers out there it offers some procedural aspects, differing from vendor to vendor. Features like window functions and CTEs have helped to limit the temp tables, derived tables, subqueries, etc required to achieve the desired output. One can now make a much more terse query.