SQL Server:与一般编程相比的SQL查询

I'm just starting out with SQL Server 2008 Express and spent the last hour or so trying out some basic queries. How does SQL scripting (correct term?) compare to general computer programming? Is writing SQL queries as involved, lengthy to learn, needs as much practice, etc. as software development? Is writing advanced SQL queries comparable to software development, at least to some degree, and if so could you explain that?I'm just starting out with SQL Server 2008 Expr