So where is the Table?

This white paper outlines the advantages, disadvantages and subsequent limitations of SQL Technology when used in financial markets. It describes how Xenomorph TimeScape technology can address the limitations of SQL and in so doing enable users to analyse more data, more quickly.

View complete So where is the Table? white paper PDF. (This document requires the free Adobe/Acrobat Reader.) 34 pages, 950KB

Introduction

SQL Technology

SQL technology has been around for a long time. Hundreds of thousands of people use it for many different applications across just about all industries. It has a certain familiarity about it.

But is this technology effective and appropriate in the world of financial data storage and analysis, where the sheer volume and complexity of data is increasing all the time and at an increasingly rapid rate?

The purpose of this paper is to attempt to explain the advantages, disadvantages and subsequent limitations of using SQL technology in finance. In addition, the advantages of using TimeScape technology instead are put forward. Finally, the case for using the two technologies together is discussed, to provide a combined solution.

We seek to understand the merits of the two technologies, what each is used for and why; the advantages each brings and why; the essential differences between them and why.

The approach adopted in this paper covers three main agendas:

• SQL Technology.
  A brief history of SQL, why it was developed, the advantages it brings, its functional limitations and therefore why it may not be necessarily the most appropriate technology for use in finance, despite recent enhancements designed to address some of the issues.
• TimeScape.
  What it is and why it was developed, the advantages it brings and how business users can be empowered to make complex data analysis decisions more accurately, more quickly and more easily.
• TimeScape and SQL Combined.
  Can we use the two technologies together to benefit from the respective advantages each brings, or due to internal constraints or legacy systems within an organisation? – it is a possibility worth consideration.

Each topic is discussed in turn with supporting detail where appropriate. The appendix contains a real-world example for the more technical-minded to reinforce and expand upon some of the discussion points covered earlier in the paper.

White paper contents

• Introduction
• SQL Technology
  • History of SQL
  • What is SQL?
  • Why was it developed?
  • What are its strengths?
  • What are its weaknesses?
  • Is SQL really standard?
  • How applicable is SQL to finance?
  • What has been done to address the issues?
• Standard Technology vs. Proprietary Technology
  • The case for a standard solution
  • The case for a proprietary solution
• TimeScape Technology
  • What is TimeScape?
  • Why was it developed?
  • What are its strengths?
  • What is TimeScape QL+?
  • Why use TimeScape QL+?
• TimeScape QL+ vs. Standard SQL
  • The case for Standard SQL
  • The case for TimeScape QL+
• QL+ Examples
  • Simple Time Series
  • Multiple Time Series
  • Time Series Calculation
• TimeScape and SQL Combined
• TimeScape QL+ Examples with SQL Data
  • Simple Time Series with Data Rules
  • Time Series with Calculations
  • Database Query with Constraints
• Summary
• Appendix A

Download white paper

View complete So where is the Table? white paper PDF. (This document requires the free Adobe/Acrobat Reader.) 34 pages, 950KB