Advantages and disadvantages of using SQL in data analysis practices

The amount of data generated every day is massive and growing rapidly. For example, according to Statista, there were 4.2 billion active social media users worldwide in 2021, and these users generate a vast amount of data in the form of posts, comments, likes, shares, and other interactions. Cisco predicts that by 2023, there will be over 29 billion IoT devices in use around the world, all generating data on a wide range of variables. In 2020, global e-commerce sales amounted to $4.28 trillion, generating vast amounts of data on product purchases, spending amounts, and other variables. 

The scale of data is enormous. And what do we do next? Normally, data is stored in databases. A database could be a collection of information that's organized in a way that permits it to be easily accessed, managed, and updated. Databases can range from small, simple collections of data to large, complex systems that manage massive amounts of data. To manipulate this data, a programming language is used. And the commonplace language used is SQL. 

This blog post will help you learn more about the advantages of SQL and its disadvantages by reading the important information we have gathered.

What is SQL?

SQL (Structured Query Language) is a programming language specifically designed for managing and manipulating data in databases. With SQL, you can perform a wide range of operations on the data in a database, including retrieving, inserting, updating, and deleting data.

Some examples of SQL commands that can be used to manipulate data in a database:

SELECT: retrieves data from one or more tables in the database.

INSERT: adds new data to a table in the database.

UPDATE: modifies existing data in a table in the database.

DELETE: removes data from a table in the database.

SQL is widely used in many types of applications, including web development, data analysis, and business intelligence. Its syntax is relatively easy to learn, and it can be used with a variety of database management systems, including MySQL, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, and more.

What are the advantages of SQL?

Not require code skills 

SQL uses a declarative syntax that allows users to specify what they want to do with the data, rather than how to do it. This makes it relatively simple for non-technical users to learn and use, as they can focus on the logic of their queries rather than the technical details of how to execute them. Some fundamental terms like SELECT, INSERT INTO, DELETE, UPDATE, etc. So, it’s easy to learn 

Powerful querying capabilities

Another sql advantage is that users can perform complex queries on large datasets quickly and efficiently. SQL provides a rich set of commands and functions that allow users to filter, sort, group, aggregate, and transform data in a variety of ways.

SQL's ability to handle large datasets is particularly important, as many modern applications generate and process massive amounts of data. With SQL, users can quickly extract the relevant information they need from these datasets, enabling them to make informed decisions and gain valuable insights.

Standardized language

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Standards Organization (ISO) have recognized the use of SQL, a standardized structural query language, to manage relational databases. Because of its extensive, thorough, and well-established documentation over the years, it provides all of its users with a standardized platform. Language standardization by ISO and ANSI was approved in 1986 and 1987, respectively.

Greatly interactive language

Structure query language (SQL) will be utilized to create and manage sizable databases, facilitating data sharing, updating, and retrieval from a huge number of tables. The major goal of using it is to use SQL in a variety of applications, including data analysis, IT support, web development, and others.

Users can interact with the database management system in real-time, as they write and execute their queries. This interactive approach allows users to quickly test and refine their queries, as they can immediately see the results of their actions.

Furthermore, SQL's interactive nature makes it easy for users to explore their data, as they can easily navigate through different tables, fields, and records to find the information they need. This is the main reason businesses use SQL for a variety of tasks including web development, data analysis, IT assistance, and more.

Portable

Another advantage of SQL is that it can be used on a variety of different platforms and operating systems. SQL is supported by a wide range of database management systems, including both commercial and open-source systems, and it can be used on different operating systems, such as Windows, Linux, and MacOS. Users can access and work with their data from different locations and devices, which is particularly important in today's mobile and distributed computing environments. For example, users can use SQL to access and analyze their data from a laptop, tablet, or smartphone, regardless of the platform or operating system they are using.

Multiple data view 

SQL allows you to create multiple data views, which are virtual tables that present data from one or more underlying tables in a customized way. Data views can be created using the CREATE VIEW statement in SQL, and they can be used to simplify complex queries, improve performance, and provide a consistent view of the data to users.

Large-scale user community

the Structure query language, in use for fifty years. As a result, it is still widely used and quite trustworthy. Additionally, it is beginning to boast a network of experts ready to share advice and well-established best practices. Additionally, it offers lots of chances for collaboration and skill development. In the event that someone else needs additional help, SQL's consultants and suppliers are also available. The developers will be able to use SQL to discover the needed result.

What are the disadvantages of SQL?

After learning about the benefits of SQL, now turning to know more about the disadvantages of SQL.

Steep Learning Curve

While SQL is a relatively simple language to learn compared to some other programming languages, it can still take time and effort to become proficient. Understanding the syntax, data types, and query optimization can be a challenge for some users.

Security Risks

Like any other technology, SQL databases can be vulnerable to security risks, such as SQL injection attacks. Careful attention must be paid to security when working with SQL, including proper authentication and authorization controls.

Performance problems

While SQL is great for working with structured data, it can be difficult to scale to very large datasets or non-relational data. SQL databases can become slower and more difficult to manage as the size of the database grows, and it may not be the best choice for working with unstructured or semi-structured data.

Vendor lock-in 

Although SQL is a standardized language, each database management system may have its own distinct features and capabilities, making it challenging to switch to a different system without a lot of work. 

Start building your SQL queries

Dataflake allows you to write SQL queries to transform the data you need, then create your interactive dashboards. Make your data analysis practice more accurate! 

Because you’re already here, let's get started with trying Dataflake now!

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