Re: [boost] [Boost-users] SQL library with full embedded SQL-syntax

From: Jeff Garland (jeff_at_[hidden])
Date: 2007-03-14 19:06:23

Dmitri Lyfar wrote:
> Hi
> I would like to participate in Google Summer of Code in this year. 

Great, welcome!  Note, this discussion would probably be better hosted in the 
development list, so I've cross-posted it there.

> I  reviewed boost projects for last years and found an interesting project, I 
> think. If you go to the link below you will see a short description for that 
> library:
> http://www.crystalclearsoftware.com/cgi-bin/boost_wiki/wiki.pl?Google_Summer_Of_Code_2006#SQL
> 
> The goal of this post is to define the main library features, which will be 
> useful for users.
> Is that library useful for C++ community?
> If you are using(or have ever used) similar C++ libraries for work with SQL: 
> which of features do you want to have? Also I want to notice one of the 
> biggest beauty of that approach: you can get the compiler to type-check the 
> SQL-expression, what do you think about that?

Well, I'll be brutally honest -- I don't think I would go that direction.  We 
didn't pick a database project last year because a majority of the mentors 
agreed that the 'dsl-based' approach was more of a toy than reality.  The main 
reason for this is that in 'real-world' applications queries are often dynamic 
and must be built at run-time.  So, before we get ahead of ourselves and think 
about 'sql embedded in C++' we need the basics of getting database access.

At the point the leading candidate for boostification of basic db access is SOCI:

http://soci.sourceforge.net/

As I understand the state of affairs, the main barrier to Boost submission is 
getting the code into the usual boost structure, writing additional tests and 
such.  I"ve cc'ed a couple of principles on SOCI, so they may want to comment 
on my perception.  However, if I'm correct, a great SOC submission may in fact 
be to Boostify SOCI.  It's not as 'sexy' as the embedded SQL, but I, for one 
would be a big supporter.

Jeff