In several writings I referred to older articles I wrote on SQL vs. relational performance. Even though products and optimization technologies have drastically changed since those days (some of the products do no longer exist), the fundamental issues remain pertinent, and the reader can get a feel for how factors such as poor data language design and failure to adhere to relational principles in either letter or spirit can drastically inhibit performance.

This article is from Database Programming and Design, December 1988.