SQL (Structured Query Language) is a standard language to exchange information with a database. SQL is pronounced by its individual letters, but is sometimes pronounced “Sequel.” Both pronunciations are acceptable. It is possible to use SQL in programs (for programmers), but end-users can also use SQL in an interactive mode, whereby there is no need to write programs.
SQL can be used to read and write data from multiple tables in a database.
SQL was developed in the early 1970s by IBM. It is now both an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard.
OPC can be used as a converter to connect to a database using SQL and to an automation application using OPC.
See also: Database, ODBC