Is SQL considered a programming language? And what is a DSL?

Question

This is not a question, but an explanation for those who are still confused about SQL, specially the ones starting the SQL course here. Hope this help you in your courses!

I've seen many people confuse about that, both here and in my workshops, so I'm gonna give you a short explanation about SQL and DSLs in general below! ^^

Answer 1

SQL IS a programming language!
SQL is a special-purpose programming language or a DSL (domain-specific language).

DSLs are languages specialized in doing a specific thing; that is, they have a specific purpose and domain of usage. They are pretty similar to a scripting languages and work in a very similar way. It can be scripted/textual, visual, embedded or abstract.

In this case, SQL is a DSL specialized in data management and creating databases, and it comes in two flavors: embedded and default.

As other examples of DSL, we can cite HTML, UnrealScript, Verilog, Fuzzy Control Language (FCL), LINQ, Unix Shell scripting language, OpenGL language, CSound, Logo, PML (macro), Maple, R&S, etc...