Some backend libraries let you write SQL queries as they are and deliver them to the database. They still handle making the connection, pooling, etc.

ORMs introduce a different API for making SQL queries, with the aim to make it easier. But I find them always subpar to SQL, and often times they miss advanced features (and sometimes not even those advanced).

It also means every time I use a ORM, I have to learn this ORM’s API.

SQL is already a high level language abstracting inner workings of the database. So I find the promise of ease of use not to beat SQL. And I don’t like abstracting an already high level abstraction.

Alright, I admit, there are a few advantages:

  • if I don’t know SQL and don’t plan on learning it, it is easier to learn a ORM
  • if I want better out of the box syntax highlighting (as SQL queries may be interpreted as pure strings)
  • if I want to use structures similar to my programming language (classes, functions, etc).

But ultimately I find these benefits far outweighed by the benefits of pure sql.

  • clif@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    I once had a task stripping a ODM out of a large project, reverting to the native driver, because of its (extremely) poor performance. Also the fun of profiling the project to prove the ODM was to blame. I also empathize with the “supposed to make things simpler, makes them more complicated instead” point you make.

    From many experiences, I hate ORM/ODMs and am immediately suspicious of anyone who likes them.