That's the problem, standards aren't kept by all databases and features are added. this leaves us implementing a subset of features or using the abstration layer to implement differing features on different databases. I quick example is auto increment in mysql and sequence in pgsql.
<br><br><div><span class="gmail_quote">On 13 May 2006 17:17:05 -0400, <b class="gmail_sendername">Pat Collins</b> <<a href="mailto:pat@linuxcolumbus.com">pat@linuxcolumbus.com</a>> wrote:</span><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<br>On Sat, 13 May 2006 22:27:14 +1000, "Jeremy Epstein" <<a href="mailto:jazepstein@gmail.com">jazepstein@gmail.com</a>><br>wrote :<br><br>> IMO, learning the DDL specifics of two different database systems is
<br>> more of a barrier for new developers, than learning a simple<br>> abstraction layer ever could be. I can't speak for all developers, but<br>> personally, I've always been much more familiar with MySQL, and I've
<br>> been scared and uneducated about the details of pgSQL for quite some<br>> time. I've been developing with Drupal for over a year, but only<br>> recently have I taken the time to dig a little deeper (just a little)
<br>> into pgSQL - just enough to make my modules compatible with it.<br>><br><br>For the most part the DDL is not much different no matter what db you are<br>using thanks to the SQL specifications being a standard just like HTML is a
<br>standard.<br><br><br>> Most Drupal developers are only really comfortable with one system<br>> (out of MySQL and pgSQL - with the majority being on the MySQL side).<br>> Why should we have to learn another one, when a few simple extra
<br>> functions in core could eliminate that learning barrier for us? This<br>> reason, combined with the other advantages of an improved abstraction<br>> layer (i.e. less duplicated SQL code, less maintenance, less chance of
<br>> bugs), makes the choice a no-brainer (IMO).<br>><br><br>Again, you aren't learning mysql or pgsql you are learning sql a standard<br>syntax that is pretty much portable across databases.<br><br>Pat<br><br><br>
<br><br></blockquote></div><br>