A future for SQL on the web (jlongster.com)

Article summary

The article discusses the limitations of IndexedDB, a storage API for web applications, and introduces absurd-sql, a project that enables SQLite to run on the web with persistent storage. absurd-sql achieves this by intercepting read/write requests from SQLite and fetching/persisting them into IndexedDB. The author claims that this approach provides a 10x performance improvement over IndexedDB. The project aims to provide a more powerful and efficient way to work with data in web applications.

Main themes

• IndexedDB limitations
• absurd-sql and SQLite on the web
• Web standards and browser vendor influence
• Storage APIs and performance
• Web application development and innovation
• Browser compatibility and interoperability

What commenters say

• Some commenters argue that the demise of WebSQL was a result of a flawed standardization process, while others see it as a necessary step to avoid standardizing implementation details and bugs.
• There is a perception that Chrome is pushing its own APIs through standards bodies without sufficient input from other vendors, potentially leading to a lack of competing implementations.
• The use of Chrome-only APIs is seen as a concern by some, who argue that it can lead to a lack of interoperability and create problems for developers who want to build cross-browser compatible applications.
• Others argue that experimentation and innovation are necessary for the web to move forward, and that Chrome's approach to introducing new APIs is a necessary step in this process.
• Some commenters express frustration with the limitations and quirks of IndexedDB, and see absurd-sql as a potential solution to these problems.
• There is also a discussion about the potential for a new storage API, such as the Storage Foundation API, to provide a better solution for web applications.
• The issue of browser vendors' influence on web standards and the potential for abuse of power is also raised in the comments.
• Some commenters note that the web is thriving as an application platform, and that Chrome's efforts to push the web forward have been beneficial, despite some concerns about the process.