Looking for minimal SQL

[David Fraser]

Marco Aschwanden wrote:
> 
> Hi
> 
> I would like to develop an app that is (more or less) database 
> independet. Python DB API helps when masking "parameters" of sql 
> statements. The db driver cares for the correct conversion of a date, 
> text, etc. This already is a big step into the right direction.
> 
> The next step would be to use the least common denominator of all sql 
> dialects and do without all the sql goodies that the dialects offer... 
> and for this part I am wondering if anyone has a link / hint / book that 
> assembled this minimum sql. I am looking for something that says for 
> example:
> 
> Table/DB Design: always use lowercase letters, ...
> 
> Allowed sql functions: min, max, count
> 
> WHERE / HAVING hints:
> - Don't use subselects
> 
> The focus is actually limited to SELECT / INSERT / UPDATE / DELETE (I 
> don't think that GRANT / CREATE XXX / ... statements are very portable).
> 
> I am aware, that a solution created this way is not as fast and as 
> elegant as an app that uses all features of a dialect, but I am really 
> looking for something database independent...
> 
> Thanks for any hints,
> Marco

What we have found the best approach is to start development with two 
databases in mind. In that case, you have to build in a basic layer of 
database-independence. Then later, adding other databases tends to be an 
easy refactor.

If you like you could check out the data/dbwrapper module in jToolkit 
which is an example of this approach. See jtoolkit.sourceforge.net

Regards
David