Java™ Oracle® Database Development

Chapter 3. SQL Essentials

SQL is a special-purpose language, sometimes described as a relational language, which can be used with a database for a number of different purposes. SQL can be considered a standard language, with some qualification. There are two significant standards, SQL-92 and SQL-99. Most database vendors, including Oracle, are largely compliant with SQL-92. SQL-99 greatly extends the scope of SQL, introducing new features such as persistent modules and multidimensional analytical capabilities. Most database vendors are largely compliant with the core features of SQL-99, but not the new features. This core compliance allows them to claim that they are compliant with SQL-99, even though this is virtually the same as being compliant ...