So many people around the world are confused about the SQL vs Python difference. Many people mistakenly believe that they perform very similar tasks. However, this is not the case.
These tools are different from each other and serve their own unique purpose. Therefore, it is important to understand the difference between these two programming languages.
However, because they each have different strengths and weaknesses, it’s important to know which is best suited for your specific needs in order to get the most out of the technologies you work with.
When it came to programming languages, programmers had few choices about two decades ago. For rapid data insights, collecting records, and drawing conclusions, Structured Query Language, or SQL, was a highly used language.
Data was mostly stored in relational databases back then. And SQL appeared to be a valuable tool for creating analyses and applications.
Data is now available in a variety of formats, including plain text, CSV files, the web, and many others. This is where the Python programming language comes into play, with its enormous library of libraries and accompanying platforms.
It has become a popular programming language for rapid and iterative data exploration throughout the years. Furthermore, its extensive toolkit enables developers to perform visualization and statistical analysis, as well as find patterns in the data.
Explore SQL vs Python difference in this blog post and learn how it could make a difference for you!
What is SQL?
Table of Contents
The Structured Query Language (SQL) is a query language for stream processing and database management that was developed in the 1970s. It enables the usage of the same database on multiple computers at the same time. This is highly useful while working in an office.
From development to preservation, SQL has a wide range of uses. It also offers sublanguages like DDL, DQL, DCL, and others that may be thought of as specialized statements for certain jobs.
SQL may seem like this scary language you need to learn if you want to run database queries for any sort of data, but it’s actually something that can be learned by reading Larry Wall’s book “Programming Perl” or the SQL Cookbook which has recipes on how to use SQL for common operations.
Some Notable Features Of SQL
- It is easy to learn.
- SQL is used to access data from RDMS
- SQL is utilized to define the data.
- It can run queries against the database.
- SQL is used to create and drop the table and database.
- It is utilized to determine the data in the database and change it when required.
- SQL is used to create a view, stored procedure, and function in a database.
- It permits users to set approvals on tables, procedures, and views.
List of Some Excellent Databases
- MySQL
- Microsoft SQL Server
- MongoDB
- Oracle 12c
- MariaDB
- PostgreSQL
- SAP HANA
- DynamoDB
- SQLite
- DB2
- OrientDB
- InterBase
- CouchDB
- Cassandra
- Neo4j
- Firebird
What Is Python Programming Language?
Python is a high-level, general-purpose programming language that developers worldwide use extensively. It was developed in the early 1990s by Guido van Rossum and is maintained by the Python Software Foundation.
Its syntax helps programmers explain concepts in a few lines of code, and it was primarily created to emphasize code readability. Packages and modules are also supported by Python, allowing for system modularity and code reuse.
Python programming is one of the most efficient languages since it just requires a few lines of code. Due to its extensive support and library, it has a wide range of applications in Desktop Applications, Machine Learning, Web development, and other areas.
Some Most suitable Features of Python
The important features of the Python language are as follows:
- Easy to comprehend and use
- High-performance
- Free and Open Source
- Explicit programming language
- Python is an interpreted language.
- Standard Library
- Cross-Platform Language
- Adaptable with different programming languages and tools
- Fast compilation time
- Graphical user interfaces(GUI) can be generated using Python.
Significant Differences Between SQL vs Python
- Python is a high-level programming language with multiple functional applications. SQL is a query language used to create and design database storage systems.
- Python is a high-level programming language with multiple functional applications. SQL is a query language used to create and design database storage systems.
- Python is the common popular programming used in today’s world. This is used by almost all the big tech organizations. SQL is one of the most important programming tools, as database management is one of the most important aspects of online business.
- Python creates high-end computer programs and applications that range from consumer applications to business tools and even industrial automation products. SQL is used to create databases that collect and recover information.
- Python includes a large library of functions. Hence several kinds of operations can be accomplished through python. SQL does not have any library but provides different sublanguages that can operate over the data.
- Almost all big companies are moving from traditional programming languages to python. Hence the applications are increasing exponentially. SQL and its derivatives are used by tech and online businesses and are a powerful tool for business proliferation.
SQL is usually a good first programming language to learn. It is a technology that is used to get data from relational databases. SQL may be easier to learn than Python for certain people.
SQL can also assist you in gaining a foundational understanding of programming languages, which may make learning other languages such as Python easier.
Because data recovery is generally the first step in any form of high-level data manipulation, learning SQL may help you get the data you need before applying any Python queries.
Observations From Google Trends: SQL Vs Python
Over the past 5 years, Google Trends data reveals interesting observations regarding the popularity of SQL and Python. SQL’s interest remained relatively stable, indicating its consistent importance as a fundamental language for working with databases. On the other hand, Python experienced a substantial surge in interest, gaining SQL in popularity. This significant increase in Python’s popularity could be attributed to its versatility in various fields like data science, web development, and automation, making it a preferred choice for many developers and learners.
The trend from Google Trends suggests that while SQL remains a crucial skill for database management, Python has emerged as a more in-demand and widely-used language for data analysis and broader programming tasks. This indicates the growing interest in data science and machine learning, where Python’s extensive libraries and ease of use play a key role. As the data landscape evolves, learning Python alongside SQL can provide a well-rounded skill set for individuals aspiring to excel in the data and programming fields.
SQL vs Python: Difference Chart
| Parameters | Python | SQL |
| Basic Overview | Python is widely used in data analytics, prototyping, web development, and other technological tasks. To speed up the application development process, this language uses a high level of data structure and dynamic typing. It doesn’t matter if it’s built using cutting-edge technology as long as it reduces program maintenance costs. | SQL is an open-source relational DBMS that anybody can download and use, from a total novice to a seasoned data scientist working on a project. |
| Ease of learning | A versatile, dynamic, easy, broad scope | A very simple learning curve, English-like syntax. |
| Library | Many libraries available | No library available |
| Created in 1991 by Guido Van Rossum | Created by Donald D. Chamberlin and Raymond F. Boyce in 1974 | |
| Web Libraries | A library for almost anything | None, SQL is just SQL. |
| Usage | Almost every high-tech company. | Nearly every website on the internet uses a SQL database for its back-end. |
SQL vs Python: Which Programming Language To Learn First?
SQL is usually a good first programming language to learn. It is a technology that is used to get data from relational databases. SQL may be easier to learn than Python for certain people.
SQL can also assist you in gaining a foundational understanding of programming languages, which may make learning other languages such as Python easier.
Because data recovery is generally the first step in any form of high-level data manipulation, learning SQL may help you get the data you need before applying any Python queries.
However, knowing which language to study initially may be determined by your objectives and preferences. While using both programming languages together may bring greater benefits. Knowing both languages is not required to excel in computer science or data science.
Learning Python may be a terrific way to get your career started, especially if you want to be a Python programmer. Python is widely regarded as a beginner-friendly language due to its syntax’s similarity to English.
Is It Better To Learn SQL Or Python?
SQL and Python are valuable tools for learning data and programming, each serving different purposes. SQL (Structured Query Language) is primarily used for managing and retrieving data from databases. It’s great for handling large datasets and performing tasks like filtering, sorting, and aggregating data. Learning SQL is a smart choice if you want to work with databases and manipulate data efficiently.
On the other hand, Python is a versatile programming language widely used for various tasks beyond data management. Python is excellent for data analysis, visualization, and machine learning. Its user-friendly syntax makes it accessible to beginners and offers a vast array of libraries and frameworks that empower you to tackle diverse programming challenges. If you’re interested in data analysis, automation, or web development, learning Python can be incredibly beneficial. Ultimately, the choice between SQL and Python depends on your interests and career goals in data and programming.
Final Words…
We hope you understand the main difference between SQL vs Python. With just a few exceptions, we can conclude that SQL is usable in relational databases based on the reasoning presented above.
For beginners, though, it may still be a useful tool. Many additional features have been added to SQL over the years to increase its object-oriented capability.
Python programming language is flexible and dynamic with a wide range of uses. Its vast reach may be ascribed to its large collection of data science python libraries, each of which serves a particular function.
By becoming adept in SQL and Python, you will be one step closer to landing a lucrative job. With this, we have covered the different aspects of SQL vs Python
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SQL or Python harder?
Python is undoubtedly more difficult to master than SQL.
Can Python be used as SQL?
In Python, SQL may be used in a variety of ways. For this reason, a number of libraries have been created that can be used. These libraries include SQLite and MySQL, for example.
SQL vs Python: Which is more useful?
Being able to program in SQL, becomes less important today. This implies that, in the long run, you are much better off learning Python than SQL.