Convert ORG to SQL

Why Convert ORG to SQL?

Converting Org-mode tables to SQL is invaluable when you need to import structured data from your Org files into a relational database. Org-mode's powerful table feature makes it easy to maintain data in a human-readable format, and SQL conversion enables database import.

This conversion is particularly useful for developers and data analysts who document their data structures in Org-mode. You can design your database schema visually using Org tables, then generate the SQL statements needed to create and populate the actual database.

Org-mode's spreadsheet-like tables are excellent for data entry and manipulation within Emacs. Converting to SQL allows you to transfer this data to production databases, create seed data for development environments, or generate migration scripts.

The conversion bridges the gap between documentation and implementation. Data documented in Org tables can be converted directly to INSERT statements, eliminating manual data entry and reducing errors.

Key Benefits of Converting ORG to SQL:

• Database Import: Directly import Org table data into databases
• Schema Generation: Create table definitions from Org tables
• Seed Data: Generate INSERT statements for development databases
• Migration Scripts: Create data migration SQL from documented tables
• Documentation to Code: Bridge documentation and implementation
• Error Reduction: Eliminate manual data entry mistakes
• Version Control: Track data changes in Org files, deploy via SQL

Practical Examples

Example 1: Employee Database

Input ORG file (employees.org):

#+TITLE: Employee Database
#+TBLNAME: employees

| id | name         | email                | department  | hire_date  |
|----+--------------+----------------------+-------------+------------|
|  1 | Alice Smith  | [email protected]    | Engineering | 2022-01-15 |
|  2 | Bob Johnson  | [email protected]      | Marketing   | 2021-06-01 |
|  3 | Carol White  | [email protected]    | Engineering | 2023-03-10 |
|  4 | David Brown  | [email protected]    | Sales       | 2022-09-20 |

Output SQL file (employees.sql):

-- Generated from employees.org
-- Table: employees

CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS employees (
    id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY,
    name VARCHAR(255),
    email VARCHAR(255),
    department VARCHAR(255),
    hire_date DATE
);

INSERT INTO employees (id, name, email, department, hire_date) VALUES
(1, 'Alice Smith', '[email protected]', 'Engineering', '2022-01-15'),
(2, 'Bob Johnson', '[email protected]', 'Marketing', '2021-06-01'),
(3, 'Carol White', '[email protected]', 'Engineering', '2023-03-10'),
(4, 'David Brown', '[email protected]', 'Sales', '2022-09-20');

Example 2: Product Inventory

Input ORG file (inventory.org):

#+TITLE: Product Inventory
#+TBLNAME: products

| sku      | name           | price  | quantity | category    |
|----------+----------------+--------+----------+-------------|
| SKU-001  | Laptop Pro     | 1299.99|       50 | Electronics |
| SKU-002  | Wireless Mouse |   29.99|      200 | Accessories |
| SKU-003  | USB-C Hub      |   49.99|      150 | Accessories |
| SKU-004  | Monitor 27"    |  399.99|       75 | Electronics |

Output SQL file (inventory.sql):

-- Generated from inventory.org
-- Table: products

CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS products (
    sku VARCHAR(50) PRIMARY KEY,
    name VARCHAR(255),
    price DECIMAL(10,2),
    quantity INTEGER,
    category VARCHAR(255)
);

INSERT INTO products (sku, name, price, quantity, category) VALUES
('SKU-001', 'Laptop Pro', 1299.99, 50, 'Electronics'),
('SKU-002', 'Wireless Mouse', 29.99, 200, 'Accessories'),
('SKU-003', 'USB-C Hub', 49.99, 150, 'Accessories'),
('SKU-004', 'Monitor 27"', 399.99, 75, 'Electronics');

Example 3: Configuration Settings

Input ORG file (config.org):

#+TITLE: Application Configuration
#+TBLNAME: app_settings

| key              | value          | description              |
|------------------+----------------+--------------------------|
| app.name         | MyApplication  | Application display name |
| app.version      | 2.1.0          | Current version          |
| debug.enabled    | false          | Debug mode flag          |
| cache.ttl        | 3600           | Cache TTL in seconds     |
| max.connections  | 100            | Maximum DB connections   |

Output SQL file (config.sql):

-- Generated from config.org
-- Table: app_settings

CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS app_settings (
    key VARCHAR(255) PRIMARY KEY,
    value VARCHAR(255),
    description TEXT
);

INSERT INTO app_settings (key, value, description) VALUES
('app.name', 'MyApplication', 'Application display name'),
('app.version', '2.1.0', 'Current version'),
('debug.enabled', 'false', 'Debug mode flag'),
('cache.ttl', '3600', 'Cache TTL in seconds'),
('max.connections', '100', 'Maximum DB connections');

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is SQL?

A: SQL (Structured Query Language) is the standard language for managing relational databases. It's used to create tables, insert data, query information, and manage database structures. SQL is supported by all major database systems including MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, and Oracle.

Q: How are Org tables converted to SQL?

A: Org tables are converted to SQL CREATE TABLE statements (using the header row for column names) and INSERT statements (using the data rows). The table name can come from #+TBLNAME or the filename.

Q: What about data types?

A: Data types are inferred from the content. Numbers become INTEGER or DECIMAL, dates become DATE, and text becomes VARCHAR. You may need to adjust the generated SQL for specific database requirements.

Q: Which SQL dialect is generated?

A: The converter generates standard SQL that works with most databases. Minor adjustments may be needed for specific database features like auto-increment (MySQL) vs SERIAL (PostgreSQL).

Q: Can I convert multiple tables?

A: Yes, if your Org file contains multiple tables (each with a #+TBLNAME), the converter will generate CREATE TABLE and INSERT statements for each one in the output SQL file.

Q: How are special characters handled?

A: Special characters in string values are properly escaped to prevent SQL injection and syntax errors. Single quotes are escaped as double quotes, and other special characters are handled appropriately.

Q: What about NULL values?

A: Empty cells in Org tables can be converted to SQL NULL values or empty strings, depending on the conversion settings. This ensures your data integrity requirements are met.

Q: Can I import the SQL directly into my database?

A: Yes! The generated SQL file can be executed directly using your database client: `mysql -u user -p database < file.sql` for MySQL, `psql database < file.sql` for PostgreSQL, or `.read file.sql` in SQLite.