Relational theory vs. practical SQL is sparking real debate in 2025. A single post asks whether learning relational algebra and calculus is worth it, or if SQL’s practical, vendor-specific quirks should rule the day.
The practical SQL reality One view treats SQL as an imperfect but valuable concrete implementation of relational theory [1]. That stance also nudges you toward the non-portable parts of SQL—the vendor-specific features tied to databases like Oracle and Postgres [1]. Those pragmatics, not flawless theory, often shape day-to-day schema design and query tuning [1].
Theoretical foundations Relational Algebra is said to help with designing fast tables [1]. Relational Calculus is debated: some see it as not obviously connected to everyday work, while others say it’s only useful for modelling problem domains; many good DB pros ignore calculus [1]. The calculus debate remains hot among theory-leaning practitioners [1].
The real-world divide Ultimately, the post frames the choice as practical depth over formal tradition: focus on deep, practical SQL knowledge that markets actually hire for [1]. In 2025, the takeaway is clear—marshal practical SQL prowess and vendor nuance, while keeping a light touch of theory to guide design and tuning [1].
References
Ask HN: SQL using relational theory books?
Debate on studying relational theory vs practical SQL; mentions algebra, calculus, vendor-specific SQL, and real-world usefulness and design impact today.
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