Comment by xpil

I said this before and I will say it again: SQL is for data processing what IP is for networks: it's the neck of the hourglass.

There are many things happening below SQL layer (storage engines, implementations, hardware etc) as well as above it (applications, reporting engines, various services and whatnot). There are many things happening below IP layer (hardware, protocols) as well as above it (TCP, applications).

Even though there are better ways to build a neck of an hourglass, my bet is that (1) they are not much better and (2) it would be extremely difficult to get them replaced in all the existing hourglasses without breaking things terribly.

Conclusion: SQL is going to stay forever, like it or not.