Which language is primarily used to develop custom rules in QRadar?

The primary language used to develop custom rules in QRadar is AQL, which stands for Ariel Query Language. AQL is specifically designed for querying the Log Activity and Network Activity data stored in QRadar. It allows users to construct complex queries that can filter and analyze log data effectively, which is crucial for creating tailored detection rules based on specific security events and behavior.

Developing rules in QRadar often involves determining which events to trigger alerts on, and AQL provides the necessary syntax and functionality to define these conditions. Its ability to work with QRadar's backend database makes it integral for establishing custom correlation rules that can enhance the detection capabilities of the system.

While SQL is a widely used query language for relational databases, and XML and JSON are formats for structuring data and configuration, they aren't specifically used for developing custom rules within QRadar. SQL might be relevant for related tasks but is not directly applicable in QRadar’s custom rule framework. XML and JSON serve more for formatting configurations and data interchange rather than querying or rule definition. Therefore, AQL stands out as the specialized language for this task.