Usql offers a single user interface for managing multiple database systems
Databases

© Lead Image © Kheng Ho Toh, 123RF.com
Usql is a useful tool that lets you manage many different databases from one prompt.
These days, databases are everywhere, from official Census records to personal music playlists. Linux offers many tools for creating, populating, and querying databases. Some users may even say too many, and this tutorial is an answer to that complaint. I will introduce you to usql, a little tool that is a lifesaver for many users who work with databases.
The most ubiquitous and flexible way to work with any database is in a text-based interface. Inside a client application, you type queries at a prompt. The syntax might vary depending on the implementation of Standard Query Language (SQL) [1] the database is using. Depending on the database type, the client either executes the query directly or, much more frequently, forwards it to a server that actually handles the data. The result of the query is then printed out, usually in a tabular format. Alternatively, you can store sequences of queries or commands in a text file and pass it to the client that will execute them automatically, possibly saving the result to a file.
If you always work with one type of database (for example, only SQLite), you can just choose a client for that specific database and get good at using it. However, if you frequently switch back and forth between different database clients, each with its own personality and feature set, it can get very confusing. It is a little like having to edit text files all day long and being forced to continuously alternate between the vi and emacs.
[...]
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

News
-
Two Local Privilege Escalation Flaws Discovered in Linux
Qualys researchers have discovered two local privilege escalation vulnerabilities that allow hackers to gain root privileges on major Linux distributions.
-
New TUXEDO InfinityBook Pro Powered by AMD Ryzen AI 300
The TUXEDO InfinityBook Pro 14 Gen10 offers serious power that is ready for your business, development, or entertainment needs.
-
Danish Ministry of Digital Affairs Transitions to Linux
Another major organization has decided to kick Microsoft Windows and Office to the curb in favor of Linux.
-
Linux Mint 20 Reaches EOL
With Linux Mint 20 at its end of life, the time has arrived to upgrade to Linux Mint 22.
-
TuxCare Announces Support for AlmaLinux 9.2
Thanks to TuxCare, AlmaLinux 9.2 (and soon version 9.6) now enjoys years of ongoing patching and compliance.
-
Go-Based Botnet Attacking IoT Devices
Using an SSH credential brute-force attack, the Go-based PumaBot is exploiting IoT devices everywhere.
-
Plasma 6.5 Promises Better Memory Optimization
With the stable Plasma 6.4 on the horizon, KDE has a few new tricks up its sleeve for Plasma 6.5.
-
KaOS 2025.05 Officially Qt5 Free
If you're a fan of independent Linux distributions, the team behind KaOS is proud to announce the latest iteration that includes kernel 6.14 and KDE's Plasma 6.3.5.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 Now Available
The latest Linux kernel is now available with several new features/improvements and the usual bug fixes.
-
Microsoft Makes Surprising WSL Announcement
In a move that might surprise some users, Microsoft has made Windows Subsystem for Linux open source.