Answer:
There are a few reasons why database systems support data manipulation using a declarative query language such as SQL, rather than just providing a library of C or C++ functions to carry out data manipulation:
- Separation of concerns: By using a declarative query language like SQL, the user can specify what data they want, without having to worry about how to retrieve it. This separation of concerns makes it easier for users to work with the database, as they do not need to worry about the underlying implementation details.
- Ease of use: SQL is a high-level, easy-to-learn language that is designed specifically for working with databases. It is much easier for users to write SQL queries than it would be to write low-level C or C++ code to manipulate the data.
- Portability: SQL is a standard language that is used by many different database systems. This means that SQL queries can be easily shared and reused across different database platforms, which makes it easier to work with databases in a variety of different environments.
- Performance: Database systems are optimized for efficiently storing and retrieving large amounts of data. By using a declarative query language like SQL, users can take advantage of these optimizations, rather than having to write their own low-level code to manipulate the data.
Overall, using a declarative query language like SQL makes it easier for users to work with databases, while still allowing the database system to efficiently store and retrieve data.