🧾ANSI SQL

NEW

Also known as: SQL Standard

The standardized specification of Structured Query Language ensuring interoperability across relational databases.

DESCRIPTION

ANSI SQL refers to the standardized family of SQL specifications that govern relational database language features. Maintained internationally as ISO/IEC 9075, the standard defines DDL, DML, transactions, and many advanced features. Conformance levels vary across vendors, leading to dialect differences despite broad compatibility. The standard evolves in periodic editions (e.g., SQL:2011, SQL:2016, SQL:2023). Adherence improves portability, interoperability, and maintainability of database applications.

ALTERNATIVE DEFINITIONS

ISO

ISO/IEC 9075 specifies the Database Language SQL.

Authoritative reference identifying the formal standard for SQL.

Source

Wikipedia

The SQL standard is administered by ISO/IEC, with the most recent version informally referred to by the year of publication.

Notes ISO/IEC stewardship and version naming by year.

Source

RELATED TERMS

SQL ISO/IEC 9075 Relational Database DDL Data Manipulation Language ACID Query Optimization ODBC Java Database Connectivity Feature Scaling

COMPETING TERMS

NoSQL Proprietary SQL Dialects

RELATIONS

• Broader: SQL
• Implemented by: Presto Trino

KNOWLEDGE AREAS

Data Modeling Data Storage & Operations Data Warehousing & BI Data Engineering Data Architecture

TARGET AUDIENCE

Data Engineer Software Developer Data Modeler Data Architect BI Specialist Solution Architect

EXTERNAL SOURCES

• Wikipedia - SQL
• ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 32 - Committee responsible for SQL
• PostgreSQL - PostgreSQL SQL standards compliance
• Microsoft - SQL language reference and dialect notes

TOP QUESTIONS

What is ANSI SQL?

It is the standardized specification of SQL, formalized as ISO/IEC 9075, enabling interoperability across relational database systems.

Category: Definition

Why do SQL dialects still differ if ANSI SQL exists?

Vendors implement subsets/supersets and proprietary extensions, causing differences despite a common standards core.

Category: Misunderstanding

How do I write portable SQL?

Use standard-compliant features, avoid vendor-specific extensions, and test across target engines where feasible.

Category: BestPractice

What are the major parts of the SQL standard?

Core includes DDL, DML, transactions, and schema objects; extensions cover JSON, temporal tables, window functions, and more.

Category: Scope

How often is the SQL standard updated?

It is updated periodically; editions are commonly referenced by year, such as SQL:2016 or SQL:2023.

Category: Governance

Does ANSI SQL cover performance and query planning?

No, performance is implementation-specific; the standard defines behavior and syntax, not optimizer strategies.

Category: Scope

How does ANSI SQL relate to ACID properties?

The standard defines transactional semantics that support ACID behavior, though details vary by implementation.

Category: Concept

Is JSON supported in the SQL standard?

Recent editions include standardized JSON features, though coverage varies by engine.

Category: Feature

What are alternatives to ANSI SQL for certain workloads?

NoSQL databases and specialized query languages trade strict relational structure for flexibility and scalability.

Category: Alternatives