Alternatives to trdsql
Query structured files with SQL from the command line. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
trdsql
Query structured files with SQL from the command line.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as trdsql.
DuckDB
In-process analytical database that queries CSV, JSON and Parquet directly.
DuckDB queries CSV, JSON and Parquet files directly as an in-process analytical database that also embeds into Python and R.
VisiData
An interactive terminal multitool for exploring, cleaning and converting tabular data in many formats.
VisiData explores and converts tabular files interactively in the terminal rather than through SQL queries, and needs WSL on Windows.
Harlequin
A SQL IDE that runs in the terminal, with adapters for DuckDB, SQLite, Postgres and more.
Harlequin gives a full terminal SQL IDE with a DuckDB adapter for file queries, installed through Python instead of a single command-line tool.
Also worth comparing
These listings name trdsql as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
sq
An open-source command-line tool to inspect, query, join, import and export data across databases and files.
trdsql runs plain SQL over structured files from the command line under MIT, focusing on file querying rather than moving and comparing data between databases.
sqlite-utils
A Python command-line tool and library for creating, querying and transforming SQLite databases.
trdsql runs SQL directly over structured files from the command line, without building SQLite databases or offering a Python library.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
usql
Use one command-line interface for many database systems.
Datasette
Publishes SQLite databases as an explorable website and JSON API.
LiteCLI
A command-line SQLite client with auto-completion and syntax highlighting.
DB Browser for SQLite
Opens a SQLite file in a spreadsheet-like window so you can look at the data without writing SQL.
