We Can Do Better Than SQL

The text discusses the history of SQL and its limitations as a query language for relational databases. It highlights issues such as lack of proper orthogonality, compactness, consistency, and poor system cohesion with application languages and protocols. The author also criticizes SQL's handling of NULL values. Despite these shortcomings, the text acknowledges that SQL has been widely successful due to its goal of empowering non-programmers to work with relational data effectively. However, it argues that SQL is facing increasing inadequacy and calls for a "better SQL" or an alternative query language like EdgeQL.