Online SQL Client for low code data management
Tags: sql, database, dataengineering, lowcode
Published: 2022-08-21 11:37:00

There are many good tools to access and work with relational databases. My favourite ones were MS SQL Management Studio and Azure Data Studio. However, several features can make exploring, analysing and working with SQL databases much better and easier.

We wanted to go a bit further, beyond a SQL query, beyond simple views or CRUD operations. We wanted to give people tools to leverage SQL robustness and power to allow anybody with fundamental data engineering skills (like citizen developers, business analysts, data analysts and even business people) a low code platform to make robust data management tasks much more straightforward.

We’ve introduced an online SQL client as a core part of WORKSHEETS Data Studio — our low code data management platform. Keeping your data in the database is fundamental to any data-centric IT solution.

WORKSHEETS Data Studio can be accessed in your browser straight away. So, to get started, you don’t need anything to install.

## Short video intro

[![Online SQL Client](http://img.youtube.com/vi/cm56EZ-5bFc/0.jpg)](https://www.youtube.com/embed/cm56EZ-5bFc)


We have apparent features, like a tree with data objects, SQL editor with auto-complete, a result panel and everything else you can find in other conventional RMDB tools. However, I would like to highlight the following features:

## Share and Collaborate

Since WORKSHEETS Data Studio is a web (browser-based) tool, sharing and collaboration are native features. You can create appealing user stories and share them with the world with a single URL. A URL contains all your filters, sorting and columns and makes it very useful when you want to share a link. This will allow other people to see the same information as you see it. In addition, you can permit access to your database for individual users and groups or even grant public access.

## Easily navigate and search.

VSCode-inspired WORKSHEET Data Studio layout, and you’ll find a lot of similarities, e.g. Tabs, Sidebar etc. However, the most incredible feature is a search box. A single textbox where you can find and navigate to any database object (table/view/stored procedure) within all databases you are connected to. So you don’t have to click and scroll anymore. Just type in whatever you are looking for

## Data Visualization and Data Analysis

Once you have found your table/view, you can see data in the excel-like data grids and even plot charts for quick exploratory data analysis and modifications.

### Excel-like filter for each column.

By default, we are showing only the first 1000 rows (you can remove this restriction). So, you can use your filters for each column. Here are two useful features:

- A unique list of values
- You can workout either this column is unique or not

All filters added up, and a summary is shown in the bottom left corner

![SQL Table View](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/qlvj5wifbqb07c9pobu3.png)
 
From the picture above, you can tell that the table SampleSupersureSales has 8,399 rows. And you can see 821 rows WHERE Customer Segment is ‘Small Business’ or ‘Consumer’ and Product Category equal ‘Technology’. Also, from the header filter (like in excel), you can find a breakdown of 21 countries.

## Join tables together

We know how important it is to combine pieces of information and get a holistic data view. You can effortlessly join or extend tables even if you don’t have DDL access. Just use a visual editor. Then effortlessly share with your colleagues or customers with a simple URL

You can use a visual Query Manager to join tables/views, select columns from a joined table and specify field expressions if needed.

![A Query Manager to join tables together](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/4dritnlszm1fwbincpq2.png)
 
Then, from the visual query designer, you can generate SQL Query or JSPython code with SQL-Data-API.

![Generate Code](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/fot73klmsuz91ezfrqn9.png)
 
Generated SQL Code will look like

![Preview generated code](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/5pdp95dne3wsh3mg30bv.png)

Or you can easily plot any table data into a graph for better visibility and storytelling.

![Plot graph data](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/4zejh2c9am0k89ln9paq.png)

## Linked Views

Joining, filtering and customising your data is an essential data exploration practice. However, sometimes you need to provide a comprehensive view of data. So, you can filter data in the connected views in other browsers.
 
![Linked Views](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/dxy4huya2jqevnrxji7z.png)
 
This picture shows that the left-side browser can control/filter data in 3 other browsers. This everyday use case explores master details data or other dependencies.

## Import from excel or files

As part of WORKSHEETS Data Studio, you can leverage a low code programming language, JSPython or several UI tools to comprehensively import data from files or other systems and map them to the table fields.

## Access your Database via REST API

Your SQL Database will be available through RESTfull API for better integration. In addition, we have open source libraries for JSPython, JavaScript, C# and Python.

![SQL Data Api](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/6i21lst0l08azigcxh4z.png)
 
SQL Data API is a central access point to control access to your databases through a REST API (HTTPS). Here is a [SQL Data API JavaScript client](https://github.com/FalconSoft/sql-data-api-client-js) or [JSPython test harnesses](https://run.worksheet.systems/data-studio/app/PublicData/SqlDataApiTesting?file=app.jspy)

## Role-Based Access Control

On top of existing SQL Security, we add another layer to securely control access to your database for authorised users or public access.

## In the cloud or on-premise

The Enterprise version is available for your servers or in a private/public cloud.

## One tool many databases

We are aiming to support all relational databases. We currently have the full support of MS SQL, AzureSQL and PostgreSQL (beta). But, we are going to add MySQL, Oracle etc.

## SQL Data-Driven Workflow

Automate and streamline SQL Data-Driven Workflow and custom ETL pipelines.

## Excel plug-in

[WORKSHEETS Data Studio AddIn](https://appsource.microsoft.com/en-gb/product/office/WA104381608?tab=Overview) provides a flexible and controlled way to access and store your spreadsheet data to and from SQL Database

## How can I use WORKSHEETS Data Studio?

 - Online (run.worksheet.systems). Just type in [run.worksheet.systems](https://run.worksheet.systems/), and you can access any private or public database. Works well with AzureSQL, AWS SQL, Google Cloud SQL
 - [Chrome Extention](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/worksheets-data-studio/dkhnlgcpdiifkfjdjceogenclkdfbonh). Same things just delivered as a chrome-extension
 - [Enterprise](https://worksheet.systems/contact-us). You can have your version of WORKSHEETS Data Studio behind your firewalls, comply with your security policies etc.

You can try [Azure SQL Database free with an Azure free account](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/free-sql-db-free-account-how-to-deploy?view=azuresql)

## Conclusion

WORKSHEETS Data Studio simplifies your day-to-day data management tasks. And makes working with SQL databases with ease, control and confidence.

Originally published at https://www.worksheet.systems/blog/online-sql-client-for-low-code-data-management.