The power of simplicity

SQL may be powerful, but it isn't simple--not for experienced users, and certainly not for business users. So what do you do? You end up running custom reports or buying or developing reporting software--and still, users come to you with more requests. With the advent of powerful client-side programming tools, there are more potential users for SQL data than ever before--and you have less time than ever to help them out.  

SQL Simplified

HTSQL is a simple query language that translates URIs into SQL queries and returns the results in the format the user requests--HTML, XML, JSON, or CSV. It's designed for  analysts, "casual programmers" and others who know a lot about data, but a little about databases. Letting users create queries as URIs takes advantage of the ubiquity of web addresses and HTTP. HTSQL URLs can be bookmarked, shared, and used to build simple web widgets and interfaces.

It can be surprisingly useful for experienced developers, too (just ask our development team!). HTSQL queries are shorter and more readable than SQL queries. And since the HTSQL server parses and validates them before sending them to the database, it can save you from costly mistakes. HTSQL is a great tool for testing queries and prototyping applications.

Easy to install, easy to maintain

There's no special software required for HTSQL--just a web browser or other web client. HTSQL is server software that's installed alongside your database. You decide what databases and tables it shares and who gets to access the data. Has your database schema changed? No problem. Just run the configuration tool again and your HTSQL URIs will be back in business.

HTSQL provides users with the ability to explore data without building custom applications, reports, or tools. That reduces the amount of time you have to spend maintaining, training on, and supporting those applications.

What about security?

Glad you asked! HTSQL respects existing security at all layers--database, network, and application. It can't be used to do an end run around security restrictions, and because it filters queries before sending them to the database, it can help protect against SQL injection attacks. Easy-to-read HTSQL queries can also help you avoid common SQL mistakes that aren't always easy to spot.

Technical details?

HTSQL is written in Python and is available for the Linux (Red Hat, Fedora) and Windows platforms. It supports PostgreSQL, Oracle, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, and SQLite. It includes a built-in web server and can be configured to run with Apache. For more information on the HTSQL language, please download the tutorial or visit htsql.org.

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0944460. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.