So if you want a lucrative programming career (even the lowest paid SQL developers make upwards of $60,000 a year), it’s imperative that you learn a database programming language like SQL.

Developers often dispute the merits of SQL as a legitimate programming language, but this misses the point. SQL is a powerful 4GL for accessing data.

Maybe it's not the sexiest programming language, but SQL continues to be important--at least according to one measurement.

Microsoft-centric technologies are featured prominently in a new examination of the top in-demand programming skills published by careers site Dice.com.