Why Every Developer Should Learn SQL Before an ORM
ORMs are powerful abstractions, but they can become a crutch. Understanding raw SQL gives you superpowers that no ORM can replicate.
The Abstraction Trap
I've interviewed over 200 backend developers in the past three years. When I ask them to write a query that returns the top 5 customers by order value, excluding those who haven't ordered in 90 days, roughly 60% reach for their ORM's documentation. About 20% can write it in raw SQL confidently. The remaining 20% struggle with both approaches.
The developers who know SQL well consistently produce better application code, even when using an ORM. They write more efficient queries, spot N+1 problems before they reach production, and debug data issues faster. The abstraction doesn't hurt them because they understand what's beneath it.
Details
- Author
- Marcus Chen
- Category
- Technology
- Tone
- Casual
- Target Words
- 1,800
- Actual Words
- 620
- Created
- Feb 17, 2026