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Project ideas from Hacker News discussions.

The Rise of SQL:the second programming language everyone needs to know

Original Article

Hacker News Discussion

📝 Discussion Summary (Click to expand)

1. SQL's Enduring Career Value

Users emphasize SQL's timeless utility across decades.
"One of the few things I have used in programming and technology consistently for over 25 years is SQL. Almost no time spent learning how to organize and query data has been a waste in my career." (bitexploder)
"SQL has been the main skill I have relied upon my entire career." (rawgabbit)

2. Preference for Raw SQL Over ORMs

Many advocate ditching heavy ORMs for hand-written SQL or thin mappers to avoid inefficiency.
"Just write SQL. I figured this out when I realized that my application was written in Rust, but really it was a Postgres application." (petcat)
"Dapper is an unmitigated joy for me. i get to write the best sql needed for the case and then let the micro-orm handle the rest." (swasheck)

3. Business Logic in Databases (Stored Procs, etc.)

Countering dogma, users support stored procedures and DB logic for performance and simplicity, with caveats on tooling.
"The cargo-cult shibboleth of 'never put business logic in your database' certainly didn't help" (HillRat)
"We have a POS system where entire blogic is postgres functions." (saxenaabhi)

🚀 Project Ideas

SQL Playground Pro

Summary

  • Interactive online platform for practicing advanced SQL concepts like indexing, normal forms, query optimization, and CAP theorem tradeoffs using real Postgres/SQLite instances.
  • Core value: Hands-on learning without setup; visualizes query plans, disk storage, and performance metrics to address "ad-hoc" learning gaps.

Details

Key Value
Target Audience Junior devs, scientists transitioning to dev (e.g., biophysboy), self-learners
Core Feature Browser-based DB editor with guided challenges from CMU DB topics, auto-generated explain plans, index simulators
Tech Stack Postgres/DuckDB in WASM (pglite), React/Vue, Node.js backend
Difficulty Medium
Monetization Hobby

Notes

  • HN loves deep SQL education: "Learn about indexing... Just knowing about indexes is a huge advantage" (bitexploder); "CM DB group YT channel" (FjordWarden).
  • High discussion potential on query viz; practical for daily optimization practice.

ProcForge

Summary

  • CLI/toolkit for versioning, testing, and migrating stored procedures/views like app code, with git integration, pglite-based unit tests, and env deployments.
  • Core value: Solves "version control, change management and automated tests" pain for sprocs, enabling safe business logic in DB without "high priests".

Details

Key Value
Target Audience Postgres/Rust devs ditching ORMs (petcat), teams with DB-heavy logic (saxenaabhi)
Core Feature Parse SQL files to procs, run pglite tests, generate migrations, diff across envs
Tech Stack Rust/CLI (clap, sqlparser-rs), pglite, GitPython
Difficulty High
Monetization Revenue-ready: Freemium CLI + SaaS for teams

Notes

  • Directly quotes pains: "problems with stored procedures... version control" (simonw); "with pglite it's a non issue" (saxenaabhi).
  • Sparks debates on DB logic; utility for scaling monoliths like "entire blogic is postgres functions".

SchemaAI

Summary

  • Web app to upload DB schema, auto-generate visual diagrams + prompt-ready text/JSON for LLMs, then generate/test SQL queries in a sandbox.
  • Core value: Bridges LLM SQL gen frustrations like schema interrelations ("How do you present the interrelations?" rtkwe) with instant validation.

Details

Key Value
Target Audience Devs using LLMs for SQL (gcanyon, agosta), locked-down teams (rtkwe)
Core Feature Schema import (Postgres dump/ERD), Mermaid diagrams, LLM prompt templates, pglite query tester
Tech Stack Next.js, pg_dump parser, Ollama/Claude API, pglite
Difficulty Medium
Monetization Revenue-ready: $10/mo pro tier

Notes

  • HN raves LLMs for SQL but needs schema: "Prompting with documentation... works" (simlan); "screenshot it and send" (sfn42).
  • Viral potential for AI+SQL workflow; practical daily tool like visualdb.com but integrated.

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