1. A specialized language for sending queries to databases. Most industrial-strength and many smaller database applications can be addressed using SQL. Each specific application will have its own slightly different version of SQL implementing features unique to that application, but all SQL-capable databases support a common subset of SQL. A example of an SQl statement is: SELECT name,email FROM people_table WHERE contry='uk'. From Matisse

2. In database management systems, an IBM-developed query language widely used in mainframe and minicomputer systems. SQL is gaining acceptance on local area networks (LANs). SQL is an elegant and concise query language with only 30 commands. The four basic Commands (SELECT, UPDATE, DELETE, and INSERT) correspond to the four basic function d data manipulation (data retrieval data modification, data deletion, and data insertion, respectively). SQL queries approximate the structure of an English natural-language query. A data table consisting of columns (corresponding to data fields and rows (corresponding to data records) displays a query's results. See table oriented database management program. From QUECID

3. The language used for manipulating records and fields (rows and columns) in a relational database. Sometimes erroneously pronounced "sequel". From I-gloss