As you talk to different people, you will hear two different pronunciations of SQL. SQUEL or SQL.
What is the correct way? Well, it depends on who you ask, and of course, everybody thinks that their way of pronouncing this word is the right way. But, here is a little history about this language.
SQL was originally developed at IBM in the 1970s and back then it was initially called SQUEL, short for Structured English Query Language. But, they changed the acronym to SQL, because SQUEL was a trademark of an airplane company.
So, to this date, there has been an argument about what is the right way to pronounce this language.
Generally speaking, people in non-English speaking countries call it SQL. I'm used to calling it SQUEL because it is shorter and sweeter than SQL. But, if you prefer to call it SQL, that's fine with me, I'm not going to get mad at you.
So, that's the history behind this language.
Happy Coding!
Karl 🤛
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That's it. Happy Coding!
Top comments (4)
The wonder of langauge!
My first SQL course was in 1988 and I was taught it was pronounced "sea-quall", used that ever since.
As a Briton the one that grates most is Australians pronouncing "data" they often say "dah-tah", not "day-ta", as I'm from South London where "t" is almost silent and gutteral! LOL!!
Pronunciations always get me. Sometimes I silently laugh to different pronunciations.
Why would SQUEL having a trademark be an issue? Surely it would have been SEQL from "Structured English Query Language"? :)
Let's do a petition Dogers. The world is boring nowadays.