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Databases

Codin - Codesmite
Codin - Codesmite
8,600 Points
Posted by Codin - Codesmite
Codin - Codesmite
8,600 Points

Badly worded question?

In the new SQL Basics Course added to the PHP development Track there is a quiz here:

https://teamtreehouse.com/library/sql-basics/data-databases-and-sql/data-databases-and-sql-review

One of the questions seems like it could cause some confusion:

Fill in the blank(s) below:

The language you use to talk to databases is ______

So the accepted answer is SQL. But the answer to this question could be multiple different query languages or simply "A Query Language".

Maybe a multiple choice question asking "Which of these languages would you use to talk to a database:" and have a selection of non-query languages with SQL as an option?

Andrew Chalkley

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,261 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,261 Points

Did you answer it right the first time? Or what answer did you give?

Codin - Codesmite
Codin - Codesmite
8,600 Points
Codin - Codesmite
Codin - Codesmite
8,600 Points

I actually put in "query language" and answered it wrong the first time. I've been working with SQL and other query languages for over 15 years, logically this would be the first answer that would come to me as I have experienced more than one query language throughout my career and this would essentially be the correct answer to the question, as SQL is not the only language you would use to talk to a database, there is a huge list of languages for example: Xquery, LDAP, Gremlin, FQL, F-Logic, OQL, OCL and many more.

For example you wouldn't use SQL as a query language to query a MongoDB database.

1 Answer

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,261 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,261 Points

Good point, but I suspect this question is based on a direct quote from the course videos. If it were part of an independent assessment it would definitely need revision.

Christopher Bailey
Christopher Bailey
14,880 Points

its misleading for new comers.... why would i think that SQL is the language used to talk to all databases... its needs to be revised ...independent or not...the questions and answers still need to be just OUTSIDE of treehouse... otherwise, whats the point of this?