The ongoing debate over SQL coding style conventions has sparked renewed interest in the developer community, highlighting the evolving needs of modern database development and the challenges of maintaining consistent code formatting across teams.
The Case Against Traditional Formatting
A significant portion of the developer community is pushing back against conventional SQL formatting rules, particularly the practice of right-aligning keywords and manual spacing alignment. Developers argue that while these traditional approaches may look visually appealing, they create unnecessary maintenance burden and are difficult to sustain in real-world development scenarios.
This style is annoying and I wish it gained less traction. It looks neat but it puts so much burden on the query writer, especially when you modify the query and all of the sudden you need to indent multiple lines just to make them all align.
The Rise of Automated Formatting
Modern developers are increasingly advocating for automated formatting solutions similar to those available for other programming languages like Go's gofmt. However, the community notes a significant gap in the SQL ecosystem, with many existing formatters struggling to handle advanced features like stored procedures, particularly for PostgreSQL. This has created an opportunity for open-source contribution in developing more robust SQL formatting tools.
Key Community Recommendations:
- Adopt automated formatting tools over manual formatting
- Consider singular table names for semantic clarity
- Utilize Common Table Expressions (CTEs) for complex queries
- Embrace lowercase keywords when syntax highlighting is available
- Focus on query maintainability over aesthetic alignment
Naming Conventions Controversy
Table naming conventions have emerged as another contentious point, with developers divided between singular and plural forms. While the style guide suggests avoiding plurals, many developers argue that singular table names (e.g., employee vs employees) make more semantic sense when writing queries. The debate extends to modern considerations such as API endpoint naming conventions, where plural forms have become standard practice.
Modern Development Practices
Common Table Expressions (CTEs) are gaining prominence as a preferred approach to managing complex queries. Developers are moving away from massive single-query joins in favor of more modular and maintainable code structures. This shift reflects a broader trend toward code organization that prioritizes readability and maintainability over traditional SQL formatting concerns.
The Case for Lowercase Keywords
Traditional uppercase SQL keywords are increasingly being questioned, with many developers preferring lowercase syntax. Modern IDE features like syntax highlighting have reduced the need for uppercase keywords to distinguish commands from arguments, leading some developers to advocate for a more contemporary, lowercase approach that's easier to type and read.
In conclusion, while the SQL style guide provides a foundation for code formatting, the community is actively pushing for modernization that better aligns with current development tools and practices. The focus is shifting from rigid formatting rules to automated solutions and practices that enhance maintainability and developer productivity.
Source Citations: SQL Style Guide