We used coding agents to add RonSQL support to RonDB
The blog post describes the experience of using AI coding agents to add RonSQL support to RonDB. It details the process, challenges faced, and how agents assisted in implementing the SQL layer, concluding with reflections on the effectiveness and limitations of current AI tools for complex database development tasks.
Background
Mikael Ronström is a MySQL veteran and the original creator of NDB Cluster, the clustered database engine now used inside MySQL heatwave and various telecom systems. RonDB is a fork of MySQL NDB Cluster that he maintains for low-latency, high-availability workloads. Coding agents are AI-powered tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Claude-based agents) that can generate or modify source code autonomously or semi-autonomously. This post reports on the experience of using such agents to add "RonSQL" – a new SQL parsing layer – into RonDB, and discusses what worked, what didn't, and how the agents handled a complex C++ codebase.