I've been diving into building a todo app without using any ORM, opting for better-sqlite3 instead. This choice has made me realize just how vital it is to understand SQL, but I'm feeling conflicted. I've read numerous comments suggesting that programmers shy away from direct SQL, and while I agree everyone should have a solid grasp of SQL, I'm not using any migration tools since I'm not using an ORM. This raises a dilemma: to really learn SQL, I feel like I need to go raw, but that might lead me to miss out on best practices, like using a migration tool, which many argue is essential for modern projects. So, I'm stuck between wanting to learn SQL deeply and facing the potential pitfalls of not using any supporting frameworks or tools. What should I consider moving forward?
4 Answers
Yes, definitely! Raw SQL often allows for more optimization and efficiency in queries compared to ORMs. However, there are scenarios where ORMs can really streamline the workflow, especially for simpler CRUD operations. Just be aware of your project's needs.
There’s nothing wrong with writing SQL by hand! The main concern is keeping your code aligned with your database schema. If you change the schema, your code needs to adapt. While ORMs can help with that automatically, they can also restrict the kind of queries you can write. Just be mindful of how you manage migrations and schema changes if you go for raw SQL.
Exactly! I mean, how did people even manage before ORMs? It’s all about balancing between raw power and convenience.
I'm curious how your coding might change if you opted out of ORMs. What would be your approach?
Can we chill on using 'raw-dogging' to talk about programming? There are tons of ways to express this without mixing in those terms. It feels a bit off to me.
Totally agree! Let’s keep the discussions clean and focused.
Right? I’m just here to improve my coding skills, not get hit with innuendos!
Why do people find SQL so intimidating? Honestly, I enjoy writing and refining my SQL queries. Is there a career path focused purely on that? Would love to do that full-time!
Same here! I spend a lot of time optimizing SQL. It’s a specialty I’d love to pursue further!
For sure! A solid ORM can handle complex queries just as well as raw SQL in many cases. Any standout examples of performance improvements you’ve seen?