to_sql alias method?

[benkoshy]

Is it a ridiculous idea to have a to_sql method?

DB[:Orders].sql
# => SELECT * FROM `Orders`
DB[:Orders].to_sql # an alias
# => SELECT * FROM `Orders`

Why?

My argument: to_sql is more ruby-esque, like to_s, to_h, or like ActiveRecord where to_sql does the same thing, and is arguably more expessive.

I had tried the above to_sql and was surprised to see it not there. A google search turned up the right answer, but it prompted the above thought. my two cents.

[jeremyevans]

I'm generally against adding aliases, unless the current method name is wrong or misleading. This is something that users can easily add by themselves if they want.

FWIW, I don't think to_sql is "more expressive". It gives the impression you are converting the dataset to an SQL string, instead of obtaining the SQL that the dataset will use. Considering that most datasets cache their SQL, you should think of the SQL as an attribute of the dataset, not a conversion from the dataset.