1. SQL flavors
Our last topic is SQL flavors.
2. SQL flavors
SQL has several different versions or flavors, ranging from free versions to those designed for major databases like Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle Database.
All SQL flavors work with table-based relational databases and share a majority of keywords.
In fact, all SQL flavors must follow universal standards set by the International Organization for Standards and the American National Standards Institute.
Only additional features on top of these standards result in different SQL flavors.
3. Two popular SQL flavors
Let's take a look at two of the most popular SQL flavors.
First is PostgreSQL, a free and open-source relational database system
which was originally created at the University of California, Berkeley, and was sponsored by America's famous Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA.
The name "PostgreSQL" refers to both the database system itself and the SQL flavor used with it.
Next is SQL Server. It is a relational database system available in both free and enterprise versions.
It was created by Microsoft, so it pairs well with other Microsoft products.
T-SQL is Microsoft's proprietary flavor of SQL, used with SQL Server databases.
4. Comparing PostgreSQL and SQL Server
While there are many similarities between SQL Server and PostgreSQL, there are some small differences worth noting.
For example, if we want to limit the number of employee names and IDs selected to only the first two records, PostgreSQL uses the LIMIT keyword.
In contrast, SQL Server achieves the same result using the TOP keyword. Notice that this keyword is the only difference between the two queries!
Limiting results is useful when testing code since many result sets can have thousands of results. It's best to write and test code using just a few results before removing the LIMIT for the final query.
5. Choosing a flavor
New SQL learners often wonder which flavor to start with.
The decision is straightforward if an employer uses a specific system like Microsoft SQL Server. For job seekers or students unsure about future tools, the differences between flavors are minor.
Don't worry too much about what flavor to learn. A PostgreSQL expert can quickly adapt to SQL Server by learning just a few additional keywords.
Mastering the fundamentals builds versatility across any SQL flavor.
6. Let's practice!
Now that we've sampled a few SQL flavors, let's practice!