JUXT Cast

S5E8 - JUXT Cast: Sane Query Languages — with Prof. Viktor Leis

Mar 21, 2024

Prof. Viktor Leis discusses a new query language paper, critiquing modern SQL. They delve into machine learning in databases, PostgreSQL critique, and performance gains in database systems. Exploring clear separations of concerns in software engineering, challenges in defining layers, and the importance of standards in query languages.

53:08

Episode guests

Viktor Leis

Thomas Neumann

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Efforts are needed to simplify SQL for enhanced query efficiency and expressiveness.

Database systems require clear separations of concerns and proper architectural design for innovation.

Deep dives

Challenging the SQL Standard and Proposing a New Query Language

Victor Leis discusses critiquing modern SQL and proposing a simpler and more expressive query language in a recent paper. He highlights the historical development of SQL, outlining how it became prevalent through IBM and Oracle's implementations. Leis emphasizes the need for standardization and a well-defined semantics in query languages to address the inefficiencies and complexities of SQL.

Introduction

3min

Evolution of SQL and the Call for a Sane Query Language

23min

Debating the Role of Databases in Handling Computation

4min

Postgres Strengths and Weaknesses

8min

Innovations and Challenges in Database Systems

13min

Exploring the Importance of Clear Separations of Concerns in Software Engineering and Database Technology

2min

Episode Notes

Our guest is Prof. Viktor Leis, a Full Professor in the Computer Science Department at the Technical University of Munich. His research revolves around designing high-performance data management systems and includes core database systems topics such as query processing, query optimization, transaction processing, index structures, and storage. [0]

In this episode we discussed a paper that Viktor recently co-authored with Thomas Neumann, titled "A Critique of Modern SQL And A Proposal Towards A Simple and Expressive Query Language", for CIDR 2024. [2] Beyond the specifics of SQL, many other topics are touched on also including: machine learning in the database, a critique of PostgreSQL, and the potential for massive performance gains in the world of practical database systems.

Notes:

[0] https://www.cs.cit.tum.de/dis/team/prof-dr-viktor-leis/ [1] https://www.cidrdb.org/cidr2024/papers/p48-neumann.pdf [2] https://github.com/neumannt/saneql/ [3] https://www.cs.cit.tum.de/dis/research/leanstore/ [4] https://www.dbos.dev/blog/announcing-dbos

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JUXT Cast

S5E8 - JUXT Cast: Sane Query Languages — with Prof. Viktor Leis

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Challenging the SQL Standard and Proposing a New Query Language

Enhancing Abstraction and Reusability in Database Queries

Exploring Scalability and Hybrid Transactional-Analytical Workloads

Achieving Separation of Concerns in Database Components

Episode Notes

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts