April 2018 Summaries

The text introduces a new open-source object-relational database called EdgeDB. It explains that while relational databases are widely used, they have limitations in terms of consistency and complexity when working with data models. EdgeDB aims to address these issues by implementing an object graph model instead of the traditional relational model. The text also provides a brief example of how to define a schema using EdgeDB's schema DSL and demonstrates a simple query in EdgeQL, comparing it to a similar SQL query. Future blog posts will cover topics such as data model and introspection, EdgeQL, polymorphism, schema migrations, and GraphQL support in EdgeDB.

EdgeDB is a new open-source object-relational database designed to address the object-relational impedance mismatch by implementing an object graph model, which allows data to be stored and queried as strongly typed objects and relationships. Built on PostgreSQL, EdgeDB maintains the reliability, ACID compliance, and performance of traditional relational databases while offering a more intuitive interface for software engineers who think in terms of objects rather than tables. Unlike traditional document or graph databases, EdgeDB requires a strict schema but simplifies tasks such as inserting, modifying, and querying hierarchical data. It features EdgeQL, an expressive query language intended to surpass modern SQL capabilities, and offers better alignment with modern programming languages by eliminating the need for complex ORMs. Although still in its technology preview phase, EdgeDB aims to provide a more developer-friendly database experience and plans to cover topics like its data model, schema migrations, and GraphQL support in future updates.