Casey at Large

Want a simple SQL database client? Try Emacs. Emacs has an alright sql-mode. Here’s how to use it to connect to a MySQL server.

1. Type the meta command:

   M-x

2. To connect the server, type:

   sql-mysql

3. Enter username, password, host, and database name when prompted.
4. Open a new buffer:

   C-x [new buffer name]

5. Type the meta command:

   M-x

6. To put the buffer in sql-mode, type:

   sql-mode

7. To send a query to the DB, type:

   C-x C-b

Tip: If your columns wrap, unwrap them with

M-x toggle-truncate-lines

Also to set all buffers in sql-mode to use a connection, type:

M-x sql-set-sqli-buffer-generally

That’s it. Send queries and retrieve results in Emacs. On less reason to leave Emacs. Many databases are supported. My install lists the following DBs: DB2, Informix, Oracle, Sybase, Ingres, MySQL, and PostgreSQL.