Naming of the official SurrealDB query language

[tobiemh]

After numerous suggestions on a different name or abbreviation for the official SurrealDB query language, it would be great to get opinions and suggestions from the community.

Current suggestions include:

• SQL
• SurrealQL
• SRL
• SurQL (pronounced Circle)

[spl]

I like SurQL, because I can say “circle,” and Google search results indicate it is not used. Other than that, SurrealQL seems like the best option, because the connection to SurrealDB is immediately clear.

[edomaur]

SrQL then, no ?

[CEbbinghaus]

I am a big supporter of SRQL. SurQL works too but it has a useless U which makes it more difficult to turn into a file format whereas .srql would fit right in.

[tomsseisums]

SurQL / "circle" sounds distinctive enough.

Q: "Could you look into the data discrepancies for object A and B?"
A: "Ah, yes, let me run some circles on the database." 🙈

[koakh]

I like SurrealQL (docs, page etc) and SURQL in Uppercase....
SRQL is not bad with 4 letters.....

[W4G1]

What about SSQL? It's short, distinctive and could potentially also be used as a file extension (.ssql) further down the road.

As an abbreviation, it can be interpreted as "Surreal SQL", "Super SQL" or "Special SQL".

[FrostyTheSouthernSnowman]

I like SURQL or SRQL because you could pronounce it like "circle" which I think is cool.

[v4violet]

someone in the discord suggested that i share my idea here since it seems relevant to this discussion (this is just copy-pasted from there)

just an idea but maybe instead of using .sql as the standard file extension for surrealql queries maybe something like .suql or .srql would be better? (so that when surrealdb/surrealql ide extensions eventually get made people dont have to manually change the highlighter/file type every time they open a .sql file)

[jarodium]

I like SurQL

[KrychuTM]

Definitely SurQL or SRQL. SurQL just rolls off the tongue so well whilst SRQL would be a really good file name extension like @trbodev suggested.

[edomaur]

@tobiemh Is it really mandatory to keep the "QL" part ? I mean, it's not only a query language anyway, and we know that it's an API to talk to the SurrealDB, why not trying to find a more poetic name ? Like, I don't know, if it's surreal, we can have .dali files (DAtabase Language Interface ? I'm good with retronyms 😆 ) or .mag ( like Magritte, no retronym here)

[matnex-mix]

Good one... 😄😄 but we're actually naming the query language...

[edomaur]

yeah... but QL should not be mandatory, I think. Perhaps just naming it Circle and having .cir files would do the trick ?

[matnex-mix]

I'm confused at this point 😄😄. I don't think i've ever seen a Query Language without the QL abbrv...

[edomaur]

Kusto :-) it's the Kusto QL but the name still is Kusto

[tsharp]

I just think that at the end of the day it's all Structured Query Languages regardless of the flavor and branding. KQL, Gremlin, SQL, ANSI SQL, T-SQL. SQL in this case is Surreal QL and the only reason to name it SurQL or whatever is to make sure it's searchable.

[matnex-mix]

It's SurQL 'Circle' for me...

[koakh]

I like SSQL ?
(Surreal Structured Query Language)
Like others mention to......

[edomaur]

s2ql ? (s-squared ql ? )

[veritymedia]

I stumbled on someone suggesting SuQL (pronounced suckle), and it sure has stuck with me. Maybe not the most poetic, but lighthearted and memorable for sure.

[RayZwankhuizen]

The Dutch would call that "sukkel", nearly same pronounciation but completely different meaning. That would translate to something like dumb-ass, so maybe not the best?

[cyae]

How about a near shuffle like squirrel 🐿️?

[matnex-mix]

Sounds cool

[edomaur]

squirrel, with .sqrl files ? 🐿️

[Punie]

I'm instantly in love with this suggestion 😍

🐿️ squirrel with .sqrl files is marvellous!

[FrostyTheSouthernSnowman]

I changed my mind. .squirl is the way to go! 🐿️🐿️🐿️

[finnbear]

Despite how much I like squirrels, I have to admit SurQL (circle) is objectively better connected with SurrealDB, whereas SQRL (squirrel) could easily pass for the pronunciation of (normal) SQL.

[anonimusprogramus]

.srql is 🔥

[mike-macdermott]

I know I'm coming into this a little late, but why don't we refer to it as SrlQL? (SRLQL) It's compact enough to be convenient, avoids, SQL confusion, and is pronounced exactly as intended, 'SurrealQL'

[andar1an]

I also like SRQL and .srql file extension.