bryk@csed-1.UUCP (Bill Brykczynski) (02/19/88)
February 18, 1988 Judging by several articles published in ACM's Ada Letters, there has been much interest in the binding of Ada to the database language SQL. Various approaches to binding the two languages have been presented, each with its own particular strengths and weaknesses. In 1985, ANSI's Accredited Standard Committee X3 (Information Processing Systems), tasked the Technical Committee X3H2 (Database) to develop a set of language bindings for SQL. Two methods of binding were included in the SQL standard in the form of an annex. These bindings were for the languages Cobol, Fortran, Pascal, and PL1. The actual methods used for the bindings were referred to as the embedded and module methods. However, as the bind- ings were in the form of an annex, they were not considered an integral portion of the SQL standard. Currently, an addendum to the SQL standard, Database Language Embedded SQL (draft proposed), is undergoing public review. This addendum includes the bindings in the annex of the SQL standard plus additional bindings for C and Ada. If accepted, this addendum becomes an integral portion of the SQL standard. The public review of this document will be from February 26 to June 26 1988. Anyone who wishes to contribute to this public review process can do so by obtaining a copy of Database Language Embedded SQL, document number X3.168, from Global Engineering Documents, Inc. (1-800-854-7179). There is a $25.00 fee (used by ANSI to defray the cost of developing standards) for obtaining this document. Included with the document will be information on how to respond with com- ments. All persons who send comments must be responded to before accep- tance of this standard. Since the methods of binding Ada to SQL have been a fairly controversial issue, and since the absence of comments will result in the adoption of an ANSI standard which is potentially objectionable, I urge the active review of this document by the Ada community. This method of review will ensure that the proposed standard is acceptable by the user community and more closely scrutinized for correctness. If you have questions, please contact me. Sincerely, Bill Brykczynski 1801 N. Beauregard St. Alexandria, VA 22311 (703) 824-5515 BRYKCZYN@AJPO.SEI.CMU.EDU