Re: My humble tribute to psql -- usql v0.5.0

On Sun, Apr 2, 2017 at 7:55 AM, Kenneth Shaw <kenshaw@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I apologize in advance if this is somewhat off-topic, but I thought I
> would inform the people (ie, psql users) about usql, a
> universal-command line tool that aims to work the same way psql does,
> but with every database (not just PostgreSQL).
>
> usql is built in Go, and as of today supports all the major databases
> (PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite3, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle Database)
> and more! Additionally, with v0.5.0, released today, usql now has
> implemented most of the basic, and much of the advanced features of
> psql:
>
> * Interpolated variables (ie, via \set, \unset, etc.)
> * Backslash commands, and similar shell escapes/evaluation (ie, \echo
> `date` style)
> * Working with a query buffer (ie, \e, \p, \r, etc.)
> * Password (.usqlpass) / RC (.usqlrc) files
>
> If you happen to have a Go tool chain installed, you can simply install with:
>
>     go get -u github.com/knq/usql
>
> Alternatively, you may download a binary release for Windows/Linux/OSX here:
>
>     https://github.com/knq/usql/releases
>
> I just released usql v0.5.0 and feel that it is now ready for a wider
> audience, and I thought what better audience than those already
> familiar with the type/style of cli interface psql offers. I'm hoping
> that there are those of you on this list that might like to have a
> tool in their toolbox that works with every other database in a
> similar way to how psql does.
>
> Over the last 15 years that I've been a heavy PostgreSQL user, and I
> have likely used the psql command line for -- literally -- thousands
> of hours! Over that same period of time, I have continually found
> myself needing to reread documentation for all the various cli clients
> out there. usql is the tool I wish I had 10+ years ago.
>
> I built usql primarily due to my frustration with having to work with
> 5 different, broken CLI interfaces for all the different/major
> databases on a relatively routine basis. I am posting this here,
> because I imagine many of the other users on this list on occasion
> have had, on occasion, needed to work with other databases, but are
> stymied/annoyed/stopped/frustrated-to-no-ends with having to use
> multiple, incompatible clients.
>
> At least now, while you might be forced to use some other, inferior
> database, at least you can still hit the ground running. I appreciate
> any feedback/questions/etc you might have!
>
> And thank you all to the PostgreSQL + psql developers out there! Don't
> forget that imitation is the most sincerest form of flattery ...
> cheers!
>
> -Ken
>
> (ps: usql is brand new; it's great for doing many common tasks, minor
> to medium sized database administration tasks and development at the
> moment; in time, it'll be ready for anything, but CAVEAT USER until
> then ...)

Wow! this is _fantastic_.  I use "sqsh" for connecting to sql server
-- this is already a significant improvement in many ways (based on
playing around for around 10 minutes).  This app would fill a real
need for me.  Here is some feedback:

*) Does UTF8 support work?  It appears not to for me:
=> select '这是一个';
  col0
+------+
  ????
(1 rows)

*) Is there any way to disable SSL to postgres in the DSN?  I get,
error: pq: SSL is not enabled on the server

*) Interacting with PAGER is a really essential feature

*) Ditto \copy (to my limited understanding this would be a fairly big
development challenge)

*) Advise reserving -h command line switch for 'host', not --help

*) \g switch is not working FWICT (it outputs to stdout) -- this makes
it hard to benchmark performance since output to display is the main
bottlenect.  First impressions though is that the tool is pretty fast.

merlin