Some backend libraries let you write SQL queries as they are and deliver them to the database. They still handle making the connection, pooling, etc.

ORMs introduce a different API for making SQL queries, with the aim to make it easier. But I find them always subpar to SQL, and often times they miss advanced features (and sometimes not even those advanced).

It also means every time I use a ORM, I have to learn this ORM’s API.

SQL is already a high level language abstracting inner workings of the database. So I find the promise of ease of use not to beat SQL. And I don’t like abstracting an already high level abstraction.

Alright, I admit, there are a few advantages:

  • if I don’t know SQL and don’t plan on learning it, it is easier to learn a ORM
  • if I want better out of the box syntax highlighting (as SQL queries may be interpreted as pure strings)
  • if I want to use structures similar to my programming language (classes, functions, etc).

But ultimately I find these benefits far outweighed by the benefits of pure sql.

  • kSPvhmTOlwvMd7Y7E@programming.dev
    0·
    1 year ago

    You don't even mention the 2 main advantages:

    • ORM lets you to use plain objects over untyped strings. I take typed anything over untyped anything, everyday
    • ORM lets you to use multiple database backends. For ex, you don't need to spawn a local postgres server, then clean/migrate it after each test suit, you can just use in-memory sqlite for that. OK this has some gotchas, but that's a massive improvement in productivity
    • Swiggles@lemmy.blahaj.zone
      0·
      1 year ago

      I was about to write the same thing. Really the object thing is the whole reason to use ORMs.

      Using plain SQL is a compatibility and migration nightmare in medium and bigger sized projects. If anything using plain SQL is just bad software design at least in an OOP context.

    • winky88@startrek.websiteEnglish
      01·
      1 year ago

      There seems to be a trend of new (old) developers who find that strong typing is nothing more than a nuisance.

      History repeating itself in the IT world. I don't wanna be around to support the systems that inherit these guys.