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Ask HN: Tools to visualize data in SQL databases?

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Re: Ask HN: Tools to visualize data in SQL databases?

#61
I recently made a tool called Daigo. It's not as powerful as Power BI, Tableau or any OSS alternatives. But if you're looking to create a line chart or a dashboard from a SQL table or a CSV file, you may find Daigo a quick and easy solution.

It works with SQL databases and CSV file. Since it's an offline desktop app, it's free to use and you don't need to set up a server or upload data.

https://daigoapp.com/

Re: Ask HN: Tools to visualize data in SQL databases?

#63
post #14
post #10

This may be an unpopular opinion, but if you have US$70/mo to spare, it's hard to beat Tableau for this exact use case. "Connect to an arbitrary database, create a view that joins numerous tables (including foreign tables, via blending) together, load to columnar storage on a local SSD for performance if necessary, add arbitrary derived columns (including well-defined lateral lookups for things like 'annotate this ac…

As you get deeper into it they hook you into the server and other stuff and it ends up costing 000s. Pandas is better but requires programming.

Do you load the whole table into memory though?

Re: Ask HN: Tools to visualize data in SQL databases?

#64
post #14
post #10

This may be an unpopular opinion, but if you have US$70/mo to spare, it's hard to beat Tableau for this exact use case. "Connect to an arbitrary database, create a view that joins numerous tables (including foreign tables, via blending) together, load to columnar storage on a local SSD for performance if necessary, add arbitrary derived columns (including well-defined lateral lookups for things like 'annotate this ac…

As you get deeper into it they hook you into the server and other stuff and it ends up costing 000s. Pandas is better but requires programming.

$70/mo includes a server (Tableau online)

Re: Ask HN: Tools to visualize data in SQL databases?

#65

Metabase is what you're looking for. https://metabase.com/

We use it and or staff are able to get at least a bit of value without knowing sql. but i still have to write most things or create a template they can copy and paste.

the visual builder still relies on knowing fundamentally what a db is, what a join is. like mega obvious stuff that actually isn't obvious to non technical people.

we area also multi tenent and it's not the best for that. like the default permissions when you add a db are broad, the organization of dashboards, questions, etc is not great. through different versions they have re organized and stuffed things oddly.

i've also messed up the elastic beanstalk a few times. i am not even close to an expert on aws so might just be me being stupid.

probably worth just paying for their service in the end..

Re: Ask HN: Tools to visualize data in SQL databases?

#66
post #47
post #10

This may be an unpopular opinion, but if you have US$70/mo to spare, it's hard to beat Tableau for this exact use case. "Connect to an arbitrary database, create a view that joins numerous tables (including foreign tables, via blending) together, load to columnar storage on a local SSD for performance if necessary, add arbitrary derived columns (including well-defined lateral lookups for things like 'annotate this ac…

It's good, but wait until you discover Mathematica :)

What functions of Mathematica can do the job? I'm interested in checking it out.

Re: Ask HN: Tools to visualize data in SQL databases?

#67
I tried most of the free tools but I don't like any of them. In my experience they're all clunky and don't have a beautiful design (I'm on Windows at work and Linux at home).

I just settled on DBeaver, but don't consider that an endorsement from my part.

I found DB Browser for SQLite to be the least bad, but it's obviously limited to SQLite.

My problem may come from the fact I have simple needs and they're all very complex apps. My SQL queries are rarely longer than 50 lines and I do DB admin tasks from the command line.

Among the unending list of apps I should code for myself there's a SQLPad project. Maybe one day.

Re: Ask HN: Tools to visualize data in SQL databases?

#70
post #10

This may be an unpopular opinion, but if you have US$70/mo to spare, it's hard to beat Tableau for this exact use case. "Connect to an arbitrary database, create a view that joins numerous tables (including foreign tables, via blending) together, load to columnar storage on a local SSD for performance if necessary, add arbitrary derived columns (including well-defined lateral lookups for things like 'annotate this ac…

Anything solved by tableau is as easily solved by Excel, which likewise supports direct SQL connections. The template graphs & incorporation of function logic, for versatility & business availability make it no contest. Though Tableau has some gorgeous templates, it doesn't also have DAX & PowerBI.

I'm curious why do you think of DAX as a virtue. My poor SQL-shaped peg brain has never really fit the DAX hole of MS software.

Also, it always struck me as something too complex for the non-technical folks, and not expressive enough for tech-literate analysts/data engineers &c.

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