Most Popular Database Languages in 2025
https://socialtechtalk.com/top-sql-databases-in-2025/When we talk about database languages, we’re referring to the languages used to interact with databases — primarily for querying, manipulating, and managing data. These languages can be classified into two main types:
- Query Languages – used to retrieve and manipulate data.
- Programming Interfaces (APIs/ORMs) – used in conjunction with application code to work with databases more efficiently.
🔝 1. SQL (Structured Query Language) – The Universal Standard
Popularity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Still the #1 database language)
Used with: PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, SQLite, Oracle, and more
What it does:
- Querying data (
SELECT,FROM,WHERE) - Inserting/updating records (
INSERT,UPDATE) - Creating and modifying tables (
CREATE,ALTER) - Managing access and transactions
Example:
SELECT name, age FROM users WHERE age > 18;
Why it’s popular:
- Decades of use across industries
- Easy to learn, hard to master
- Works with nearly all relational databases
2. PL/SQL (Procedural Language/SQL) – Oracle’s Power Tool
Popularity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Used with: Oracle Database
What it does:
- Adds procedural logic (loops, conditions, functions) to standard SQL
- Ideal for complex business logic within the database
Example:
BEGIN
UPDATE employees SET salary = salary * 1.10 WHERE department_id = 10;
END;
Why it’s popular:
- Built into Oracle
- Excellent for performance-tuned logic on the database side
🧩 3. T-SQL (Transact-SQL) – Microsoft’s SQL Extension
Popularity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Used with: Microsoft SQL Server, Azure SQL
What it does:
- Adds programming constructs to SQL (variables, loops, error handling)
- Strong integration with Microsoft tools
Example:
DECLARE @Name VARCHAR(50)
SET @Name = 'Mala'
SELECT * FROM Students WHERE Name = @Name;
Why it’s popular:
- Built into SQL Server
- Great for enterprise systems and analytics
🌱 4. SQLite SQL Dialect – Lightweight and Embedded
Popularity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Used with: SQLite (used in mobile apps, browsers, IoT)
What it does:
- Same core SQL functions, but simplified for embedded environments
Why it’s popular:
- Powers mobile apps (Android/iOS)
- Used in browsers, embedded devices, and small projects
5. ORM Query Languages (Object Relational Mappers)
Not traditional languages, but increasingly common in app development.
Examples:
- ActiveRecord (Ruby)
- SQLAlchemy (Python)
- TypeORM / Prisma (JavaScript/TypeScript)
- Hibernate (Java)
Why they matter:
- Let developers interact with databases using familiar programming code
- Abstract away raw SQL
- Improve productivity and reduce errors
Example (using SQLAlchemy in Python):
session.query(User).filter(User.age > 18).all()
Honorable Mentions
- NoSQL Query Languages (though not SQL, worth knowing):
- MongoDB’s query syntax (JavaScript-based)
- Cassandra’s CQL (Cassandra Query Language)
- Gremlin (for graph databases)
These are different from traditional SQL and are used with document, key-value, or graph databases.
Conclusion
| Language | Best Used With | Type | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| SQL | All relational DBs | Query Language | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| PL/SQL | Oracle | Procedural SQL | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| T-SQL | SQL Server | Procedural SQL | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| SQLite SQL | SQLite (mobile/local apps) | Query Language | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| ORM Queries | App development (various) | Programmatic API | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer, SQL is still the king. But knowing the specialized dialects like PL/SQL or T-SQL, or mastering ORMs in your preferred language, can give you a major edge in application development and data engineering.