As a very long-time Java developer, and someone who has worked with many different databases (from embedded SmallSQL, to >600 table legacy Informix database, to a brand spanking new Oracle DB), I’ve also worked with lots of ways to get data in and out of the database. I’ve used JDO (in various forms), Hibernate, TopLink, my own home-grown mapping layer, direct SQL through JDBC.
I feel I can now say I’m fluent in SQL, since I’ve recently been writing SQL statements that span 20 or more lines. What i’ve come to realize is that when you put a major Object/Relational mapping layer between you and your database, you may as well be storing your data in XML files on the filesystem (having played around with both, I find that the performance is much the same). Rather use a true Object database where possible (for actually storing objects, the performance is much better than a SQL database).
The problem is that you are loosing all the power that sits in SQL. SQL is an incredibly powerful language, designed entirely for fetching and manipulating data. It’s not the performance of the mapping layer I’m concerned with, but the fact that you can no longer craft efficient SQL.
Summary: Use the right tools in the right places!
