> For example, in systems programming over that same timespan we've had assembly, c, c++ and rust.
I don't think you've picked a very good example here of a field where the lingua franca has progressed over time. C still dominates nearly all systems programming, against all odds. It dominates operating system development, driver development, embedded systems development, pretty much anything that demands an extremely high degree of efficiency.
I agree with your overall point regarding SQL and its superior stability, but C is an example of where popularity won out against many better options over time. It's not like Rust was the first mainstream attempt to create safer languages for systems development either. There's been many over the years designed to fill the same niche, with more modern features, tools and goals. For better or worse, C still dominates the landscape for reasons entirely independent of whether or not it was truly the best tool for the every task.
Also, I'd contend that your claim regarding the popularity of NoSQL is incorrect. If you only talk to web developers writing Javascript, you'd get the impression that NoSQL is taking over the world. But the reality is that amongst pretty much every other demographic, SQL is still highly regarded as the ideal technology.
I don't think you've picked a very good example here of a field where the lingua franca has progressed over time. C still dominates nearly all systems programming, against all odds. It dominates operating system development, driver development, embedded systems development, pretty much anything that demands an extremely high degree of efficiency.
I agree with your overall point regarding SQL and its superior stability, but C is an example of where popularity won out against many better options over time. It's not like Rust was the first mainstream attempt to create safer languages for systems development either. There's been many over the years designed to fill the same niche, with more modern features, tools and goals. For better or worse, C still dominates the landscape for reasons entirely independent of whether or not it was truly the best tool for the every task.
Also, I'd contend that your claim regarding the popularity of NoSQL is incorrect. If you only talk to web developers writing Javascript, you'd get the impression that NoSQL is taking over the world. But the reality is that amongst pretty much every other demographic, SQL is still highly regarded as the ideal technology.