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Poll: Sequel or S-Q-L?

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Re: Poll: Sequel or S-Q-L?

#114
post #4

I pronounce it "sequel" because it was originally called "SEQUEL" SQL was developed at IBM by Donald D. Chamberlin and Raymond F. Boyce in the early 1970s. This version, initially called SEQUEL (Structured English Query Language), was designed to manipulate and retrieve data stored in IBM's original relational database management system, System R, which a group at IBM San Jose Research Laboratory had developed during…

Funny, I pronounce it "ess queue ell" because it was originally called "SEQUEL". But now it's not. So it's distinct. It's interesting how two people can use the exact same justification to come to two totally different conclusions.

I'm with you. If I was using Sequel, I'd call it Sequel. Alas, I'm using SQL, so I call it S-Q-L.

Re: Poll: Sequel or S-Q-L?

#115
post #4

I pronounce it "sequel" because it was originally called "SEQUEL" SQL was developed at IBM by Donald D. Chamberlin and Raymond F. Boyce in the early 1970s. This version, initially called SEQUEL (Structured English Query Language), was designed to manipulate and retrieve data stored in IBM's original relational database management system, System R, which a group at IBM San Jose Research Laboratory had developed during…

This is really interesting. IBM Legal would have wanted us to pronounce it S-Q-L, then, because encouraging pronunciation of the initial name would continue to infringe upon the Hawker Siddeley trademark!

All the more reason to say 'sequel'. :D

Re: Poll: Sequel or S-Q-L?

#116
post #90

S-Q-L without question. * It works in all contexts ("sequel" gets clunky with names like PostgreSQL) * It's not some aircraft company's trademark * MySQL officially states their product's name is My S-Q-L (though they don't mind MySequel, but it's not the real name) * Unlike "ARP" or "BIOS", "SQL" doesn't map to just one pronunciation. "Squeal", "Squirrel", and others are just as "valid" as "Sequel". Frankly, if I ha…

To be fair, PostgreSQL is clunky no matter what.

True. The root 'postgre' is awkward in English. 'Sequel' seems to fit onto it a little better than 'es que el', but neither is ideal.

Re: Poll: Sequel or S-Q-L?

#117
post #90

S-Q-L without question. * It works in all contexts ("sequel" gets clunky with names like PostgreSQL) * It's not some aircraft company's trademark * MySQL officially states their product's name is My S-Q-L (though they don't mind MySequel, but it's not the real name) * Unlike "ARP" or "BIOS", "SQL" doesn't map to just one pronunciation. "Squeal", "Squirrel", and others are just as "valid" as "Sequel". Frankly, if I ha…

With some of the complaints about the language I have read from its users, squeal may be a more accurate name for it.

Re: Poll: Sequel or S-Q-L?

#118

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To be fair, PostgreSQL is clunky no matter what.

True. The root 'postgre' is awkward in English. 'Sequel' seems to fit onto it a little better than 'es que el', but neither is ideal.

'Postgre' is improper always. You should either say 'Postgres' or 'Post gres que el'. There is a Factoid on the Postrgres site about proper pronunciation, and there have even been discussions about just going back to the name 'Postgres' which was the original name of the project.
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