A Functional Data Model and Query Language is All You Need

Abstract: We propose the vision of a functional data model (FDM) and an associated functional query language (FQL). Our proposal has far-reaching consequences: we show a path to come up with a modern QL that solves (almost if not) all problems of SQL (NULL-values, impedance mismatch, SQL injection, missing querying capabilities for updates, etc.). FDM and FQL are much more expressive than the relational model and SQL. In addition, in contrast to SQL, FQL integrates smoothly into existing programming languages. In our approach both QL and PL become the "same thing", thus opening up some interesting holistic optimization opportunities between compilers and databases. In FQL, we also do not need to force application developers to switch to unfamiliar programming paradigms (like SQL or datalog): developers can stick with the abstractions provided by their programming language.