Having issues reading an SQL code? Here is how to format SQL code online, including the best tools that will help you get the job done.
While a compiler can still process raw or ‘handwritten’ SQL code, it can be difficult for a developer or other users to comprehend such a code.
It is therefore important to improve the style of the code to a standard generic format, if not even a better one that is readable by humans.
Usually, the readability of a code decreases proportionally with the length of the query. It will take a lot of time to comprehend the entire query. The good thing is that it is possible to improve your SQL format online.
In this guide, we will look at the most efficient way to format your SQL code to improve its readability. To help you get started quickly, we will recommend the best 5 tools that you can use to format your SQL code.
The best thing is that these tools are free to use. But before we look at these tools, let's first understand the basics of SQL.
What Is SQL?
SQL, which stands for Standard Query Language, is the most commonly used language to query data or information from a relational database.
This database query language became a standard for the American National Standards Institute in the mid-1980s. In 1987, only one year after it became a recognized standard, it became ISO.
In most cases, the language is used for querying multiple databases, such as MySQL, IBM, Oracle, Postgres, and SQL Server.
Of course, there are many other related DB engines that also support the language. What you should also note is that it is the main language of operations in the fields of data engineering, data analysis, and data science.
Usually, when you write a SQL query, you should not be too concerned with formatting, especially if you are using different dialects.
In any case, formatting a query should not be influenced by the dialect in which you write.
SQL Style Best Practices
There are best practices that you need to adhere to when writing and operating your SQL code. We will cover the major ones here. In terms of storage, here are the most recognized common practices:
Use the standard SQL function rather than other vendors.
Strive to have descriptive and consistent identifiers.
Add comments to your code whenever necessary.
When storing information about time and date, always follow the guidelines of the ISO 8601 format. In simple terms, it should follow this format: YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS.SSSSS.
Here are additional best practices about white spaces, line spaces, and indentation:
To have a more readable SQL query, you should always correct the number of spaces used.
Always write SQL queries in uppercase, for example, WHERE, SELECT, and FROM.
If you decide to have spaces, use them to line up the code in such a way that the root keyword will be on the same line.
Alight all the keywords to the right, while the values should be left-aligned.
Add vertical spaces and newlines before keywords and and or. Also, use such spaces and lines after a semicolon to separate SQL queries.
Why Is It Important to Format SQL Codes?
Beginner SQL coders often don’t spend time formatting their code. Any experienced SQL programmer will know that this is not something that should be ignored.
Ignoring SQL formatting rules will make the code unreadable. Apart from this, it will be an uphill task for a fellow programmer to make changes to the code.
Also, it will be difficult to compare poorly formatted code with another similar query. The two will appear as if they are completely different, even if they have the same content.
In short, formatting helps to make SQL code more readable. It also makes it more apparent if you compare two well-formatted codes. In the end, it will help programmers have an easier time and avoid errors.
How to Format SQL Code Online
There is more than one way to format SQL codes. Some experienced programmers have their own preferred styles for formatting SQL queries.
These professionals usually follow rules that are more convenient to them. This approach is acceptable if you are working on your own personal projects.
But if you are with other people on the project, then using individual styles will create chaos. The SQL code will represent a variety of rules cramped into one project.
So, a better way to simplify formatting is to set some rules and standards for the entire team. But this is also limiting in some ways.
Imagine if your code was being assessed by people outside your organization. A more pragmatic way to approach SQL formatting is to follow established SQL formatting standards.
While there is no single point of reference when it comes to formatting standards, there are generally agreed-upon good practices from SQL experts.
Some of these well-established rules will cover important aspects of SQL, such as naming objects, indentation, alignment, commenting, statements, and queries.
Trying to read and apply all these rules and standards can be a challenge, especially if you're a beginner programmer.
This is where online SQL formatting tools will come in place to automate and make this process more uniform.
The good thing about most SQL format online tools is that they are free to use. Beside this, they also come with a minimalistic interface, making them easy to use by anyone.
In fact, a complete novice can format SQL code using these tools.
How to Use SQL Format Online Tools
As explained above, online SQL formatting tools offer a more efficient and easier way to standardize your code and make it readable by others.
So, if you have poorly formatted code and want to make it usable by others, you can use reliable SQL format tools online.
These tools nearly have the same working mechanism. First, you have to copy and paste the raw SQL code into the provided text field.
After that, you can just click a button to start the formatting process. But some tools are more advanced. They usually have some setting options to help you configure your formatting.
In this case, you can set the indentation level, the case for your keywords and characters, and even the margins.
Once you are through with the configuration, you will run the tool to make the necessary format changes to your code.
This usually takes a few seconds. Finally, the tool will display the formatted code, usually in an output editor.
This is one of the best SQL format online tools that you should take advantage of. It allows you to import or copy and paste the raw code into the tool for editing.
Besides this, it has a bunch of configuration options to set the indentation level, case of characters, and change keywords.
The best thing about this tool is that it is simple and offers useful customization options.
If you are looking for a straightforward way to format your SQL code, then you need to use the FreeWebTools SQL beautifier.
This SQL format online tool is very simplistic in its interface and operations. All you need to do is paste your raw code in the provided text box, and then click on the blue Beautify SQL button.
After that, you can copy the formatted code to a clipboard by clicking the Copy button on the top right corner of the editor.
CodeBeautify also offers a simplistic SQL format online tool. It has two text boxes for the input and output codes.
So, you will paste your raw code in the input text box and then click on the SQL Beautify button. The good thing about this tool is that it allows you to import a file from your system.
You can also choose to fetch your code from a URL. But the sad thing is that it doesn't give you options to configure your formatting. But at least it allows you to minify and remove comments from your code.
This is a fantastic SQL format online tool that you can use to automate the editing process. The tool has a simplified interface with just one big text editor, where you enter your raw code.
To use the tool, you simply copy and paste the unformatted code into the provided editor. Alternatively, you can import a file into the system by clicking on the Choose File button.
After that, you make the necessary configurations on the right side of the screen and then click on the Format button, which will initiate the SQL formatting process. If you wish, you can copy the formatted SQL file.
Like the above SQL format online tools, Atatus offers a very basic interface with just two editors, one for the input and the other for the output.
All you need to do with the tool is copy the formatted code and paste it into the input editor. You can choose to import a file into the tool.
When done, just click on the Beautify SQL button just beneath the editors, and the tool will display the formatted SQL code in the output editor.
Conclusion
Ignoring standard SQL format online can lead to significant issues when you are working with several programmers on a project.
As you learned in this guide, proper formatting makes your code more readable by others. It also helps to reduce the occurrence of unnecessary errors.
This article highlighted some of the rules and best practices that you need to pay attention to while formatting your SQL code. But the good thing is that you don’t have to master all of them.
You can simply use the best SQL format online tools to automate the formatting process. These tools are easy and free to use.
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