In every computer program or web or mobile application, there exists a database. You can think of a database as a storage unit for relevant information and user inputs that are necessary for running an application.
Databases, like the applications, themselves, require their own programming, with certain procedures and protocols to follow thereof. Database professionals or database programmers have the skills required to implement such procedures and protocols.
And anyone who knows anything about databases in the context of programming knows about Structured Query Language, generally referred to as SQL.
Trio offers more than just software expertise; we bring you the top Latin American developers. Unlock the potential of our Mexican developers, Colombian developers, and Brazilian developers for outsourcing success.
Are you ready to start your development project?
We have the developers you need to take your development project in the right direction.
Companies are proven to grow their business faster with Trio.
What Is SQL?
Structured Query Language (SQL) is a domain-specific language used for data management. It is the standard language for relational database management systems (RDBMS).
For clarification, a domain-specific language is directly contrasted with a general-purpose language. While general-purpose languages can be used for a variety of purposes, domain-specific languages are limited to just one domain.
In the case of SQL, the language is limited to databases. Within the framework of relational database management systems, SQL software allows users to update or retrieve data as well as control access to that data.
Relational databases, unsurprisingly, work with data that share a relationship. An example could be the data for multiple people using an app where each set of data holds a person’s age and gender.
SQL is also used for stream processing in relational data stream management systems (RDSMS). This simply means that data is continuously stored.
To compare, in RDBMS, the query returns a result and exits. Data is aggregated to the data stream in RDSMS.
The data in relational databases are organized in tables which consist of columns and rows. Data in these tables can be pulled, compared, added, and so on.
You’ve probably already heard that developers use programming languages so that computers can understand what humans need and want. Well, SQL specifically communicates with databases.
Akin to integrated development environments (IDEs), SQL has development environments as well. These environments simply ease the development process for SQL developers. Oracle and Microsoft Access are the most popular of these environments.
There are other methods of data storage and manipulation. Virtual Storage Access Method (VSAM) and Indexed Sequential Access Method (ISAM) are both means of creating, maintaining, and manipulating data and/or computer files.
The advantage of SQL is that you address multiple records with one command. Developers also do not need to specify how to access a record. And lastly, the syntax of SQL is plainly more readable to the human eye.
What Is a SQL Developer?
SQL developers are back-end developers as they are able to work behind the scenes to make sure everything on the client-side runs smoothly. They should have a solid understanding of relational databases.
In addition to databases, SQL developers will likely have familiarity with the programming language their working with. For example, if the application itself runs on Java or C++, SQL developers should have knowledge of how to collaborate with the corresponding programming.
Most SQL developers will and should be familiar with Oracle, the world’s most popular database environment. MySQL is also prevalent in web development and some businesses opt for the Microsoft SQL Server.
Why Use SQL?
While there are many languages out there when it comes to computer programming, SQL is the one language that’s pretty much useful for every market and industry.
In your case, business, marketing, and sales are all trades where SQL comes in handy. If data is utilized, then SQL should be as well.
Any company with an online presence is almost surely keeping records of data. That data depends on a database.
The data can be helpful for market and trend analysis or simply for optimizing the development of your app or website.
Realistically, any business that will use data – and it’s unrealistic to say that any business would not – would benefit from using SQL. It is the chief language for managing data across all platforms.
Advantages of Using SQL
SQL is really the only language available that does what it does, so there aren’t many alternatives. That said, there are a couple of things that make developers particularly fond of SQL.
Ubiquity
Just about half of all developers use SQL. JavaScript is the only language that can hold a candle to SQL with more than 60% of developers relying on its aptitude in 2017. But when it comes to SQL, you don’t have to pick and choose.
That is, it’s not a stretch to say that these same JavaScript developers are dabbling in SQL too. With this sort of popularity, it’s a fairly easy process to find similar skill sets from one software community to another all across the board.
Community
In the same vein, SQL has been going strong for nearly half a century, since it was first developed in the 1970s. This aged footprint, in combination with its ubiquitous use, means that there is a large community of new and old developers alike to offer their knowledge and skills.
Simplicity
Good, easy-to-learn languages should never go underappreciated. And SQL is one of them. It only takes a couple of days to learn some basic queries. This is why the language is so adaptable to people in every industry.
Practicality
SQL developers can write procedures, user-defined functions, triggers, indexes, and generally use SQL for every practical database application. In fact, there are many instances where SQL is more efficient than writing traditional code.
Open-Source
In recent years, there has been a shift whereas the most desirable database technologies today have been made open-source. Now, this is no small thing. It means that the brightest and most inquisitive developers will have a say in how SQL works for them.
Interoperability
Different companies and databases have different SQL languages. But the way commands are written only vary slightly. This means that SQL can be reused with little to no modification.
Companies That Use SQL
- Microsoft
- Stack Overflow
- Accenture
- IBM
- Adobe
- Airbnb
Reasons to Hire a SQL Developer
Without a doubt, your business needs a database. It probably already has one. But who’s managing it?
Poor database management and development can be bad for the growth of your business, both in terms of software performance and scalability.
Your database needs to be effective and operational from the start. When your business grows, there is an even greater need for complex development.
Only professional database programmers will be able to handle data efficiently and towards a productive result. The truth of the matter is that most professional database programmers are SQL developers.
Being that SQL is the famed and trodden language for database development, you’ll find that the developers you need will have a worthy grasp of SQL.
Hire a SQL Developer
Back-end development doesn’t get enough credit. But in reality, it’s the gears that keep the programming world turning. In absence of these gears, nothing on the front-end would know left from right.
At the heart of back-end development is databases. Databases work with developers and the users those developers program to make sure everything that needs to make it to the front-end does so and that anything from the front-end makes it back to the database.
SQL comes in many forms, but there are quite literally no other languages that do exactly what SQL does. With that said, if you want to manage a database, hiring an SQL developer is in your best interests.
How do you hire a SQL developer?
For those who wish to take the high road and hire SQL developers on your own, we’re still here to help. Hiring a developer on your own is a very focused and hands-on process that requires considerable knowledge about software development in general.
The last thing you want to do is trust your hiring process to someone with no technical ability. If you are a non-technical manager looking to learn a thing or two, we have a great resource here for you to learn more about the hiring process in detail. Otherwise, we’d recommend you contact Trio for consulting and developer allocation.
What should you look for in a SQL developer?
At a high-level SQL developers should be able to:
- Design database tables
- Write integrated SQL queries for applications
- Program automated database triggers
- Maintain database security
- Demonstrate experience working in a SQL development environment such as Oracle or Microsoft Access
How much do developers cost in the U.S.?
SQL developers can make up to $83,500 a year in the United States, according to ZipRecruiter. But on average, they make $71,600. They can make as low as $50,500 annually.
How much do developers cost in South America?
Due to economic differences between the United States and South America as a whole, the cost of offshoring software development is significantly lower than hiring full-time with U.S talent. For SQL developers in South America, the average salary is currently around $100,000 whereas a mid-level developer costs around $76,000.
How much do developers cost in Ukraine / Eastern Europe?
Eastern Europe shares very similar rates to South America, again due to the economic differences. When looking at salaries in Eastern Europe, data shows that a Senior SQL Developer costs around $100,000 on average.
Hourly Rates for Developers
Another way to look at developer costs is through hourly rates. While salaries are good to understand for hiring developers for full-time and long-term, you might just need a developer for a period of 3-6 months or 6-12 months. In these types of situations, it’s best to calculate your costs based on the hourly rates of a developer.
Below is a table that lists the various hourly rates of developers in different locations based on their job title.
Why Hire a SQL Developer?
Trio SQL developers are pre-vetted, interviewed, and then trained further to become true software professionals, capable of adapting to situations that are both within and outside of the scope of their general expertise.
At Trio, we hold our developers to a higher standard. Much like how elite special forces units recruit only the best from main branches of the military, we recruit developers who either show amazing potential or demonstrate exceptional skill.
Elevate Your Team with Trio AI Talent
Empower Your Projects with Trio’s Elite Tech Teams
We then take their talents and sharpen them even further.
Another benefit of hiring a Trio developer is that you won’t incur the costs of hiring, which can add up to be around 30% of a developer’s salary on average, as well as overhead costs associated with full-time employment.
By working with Trio, you can enjoy a highly experienced full-time developer for a fraction of the cost, along with the added project management assistance.
To learn more, tell us a bit about your project and we can get started.
