SQ (program)

SQ was an early database management system (DBMS) developed by Larry Ellison, Bob Miner, and Ed Oates in the late 1970s. It is considered a precursor to Oracle, the relational database management system that would eventually become Oracle Corporation's flagship product.

SQ aimed to be a commercial relational database system based on the theoretical work of Edgar F. Codd. While not a direct implementation of Codd's relational model, it attempted to incorporate many of his key concepts, such as the use of a relational algebra-based query language.

The name "SQ" stood for Structured Query Language, which was also the name of the query language it utilized. This language, inspired by IBM's System R's SEQUEL (Structured English Query Language), allowed users to interact with the database by defining, manipulating, and querying data.

SQ played a crucial role in the development of relational database technology. Its development led directly to Oracle, which became one of the most successful and widely used database systems in the world.