SQL is just as important as PHP
PHP is the fifth most popular programming language following C, Java, C++ and Perl. Think PHP and you’d automatically think MySQL.
Nonetheless, it is *CRUCIAL* to remember the uniqueness of both PHP and MySQL (or SQL for that matter). Being good in PHP does not mean you are good in SQL and vice-versa. If you good in PHP, but your SQL is restricted to SELECT, UPDATE, DELETE, then your SQL is in need of improvement. If you require multiple SQL statements instead of using JOINs, then your SQL is in need of improvement. PHP looping SQL statements is just dead evil.
Perhaps in some ways, SQL is the victim of of PHP. We are taught how to retrieve data from a database, but not good database design. So it all works well, except that our database structure design is atrocious. Worst of all, is the belief that our data integrity, whether referential or not, exists. Sadly, we learn about this only in a worst case scenario.
I’m always one to stress the importance of content and data above aesthetics and code. My classical example is: What’s the use of a newspaper printed full-colour on glossy paper and it has no content?
From this perspective, it is essential, in my opinion, that we plan our database structure properly. And we need to think in terms of user interaction, SWOT of the database structure. The database is independent of the code, and can always be manipulated without PHP. Will the database itself be able to keep its data integrity in tact? If it relies on code, then we are looking for trouble!
I'm a Web Developer living in Cape Town, South Africa. Interests include: PHP, JQuery, ExtJS, Adobe AIR, Linux, Ubuntu, WordPress, Human Rights, Usability, Multimedia
Tohir
Just having visited the rankings, and SQL is the 7th most ‘popular’ language even beating C#