Final answer:
A forms-based query language uses a GUI for constructing database queries, developed notably by IBM in the 1980s, and aims to provide an intuitive interface for users, sometimes described as superior in usability in controlled studies.
Step-by-step explanation:
A forms-based query language is a type of database query language that uses a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for the user to form queries. One of the earliest and most notable forms-based query languages was developed by IBM in the 1980s. Unlike Structured Query Language (SQL), which is a declarative language that specifies what data the user wants to retrieve without dictating how to retrieve it, a forms-based query language can sometimes be more procedural, directing how the query should be processed. Forms-based query languages are generally designed to be user-friendly and easier for people without in-depth knowledge of database syntax to use, often resembling SQL in their foundations but offering a more intuitive interface for building queries. While controlled studies may have indicated at times that these systems are clearly superior due to their usability and efficiency, whether or not they are superior would depend on the context and specific user requirements.
A forms-based query language was first developed by IBM in the 1980s. It describes how a query should be processed rather than specifying the exact results of the query. It resembles SQL (Structured Query Language) in many ways, but it uses a graphical user interface (GUI) instead of a command-line interface.
While it is often considered more user-friendly, whether a forms-based query language is clearly superior to other query languages like SQL is a matter of debate and depends on various factors.