Interacting with SQL in IntelliJ

Connecting IntelliJ to SQL

Today I learned that I could access my PostgresSQL database from inside IntelliJ. This is a game changer, especially when tables get too large to fit on one terminal screen, since terminals can't horizontally scroll and the line wrapping makes the table illegible.

To connect the database, click on the database icon in the right sidebar of IntelliJ. Then click the plus button in the top left or Cmd + N to add a new datasource. Then select the desired flavor of database.

In the window that pops up, enter the connection details of the database. After hitting "Apply," IntelliJ might ask to install a driver for the type of database. After installing the driver, click "Test connection..." at the bottom of the dialog box.

The connection should now show up in the right sidebar of IntelliJ.

Interacting with the Database

Now that the database is connected, it is easy to see all the columns of the table in the sidebar. Double-clicking on a table or a table column will open a tab for that table in the main editor window. From here, the database can be viewed, filtered, and sorted just like working with a spreadsheet.

Rows can be added and deleted, and table values can be added by typing in the cells. All updates in the GUI need to be submitted before the changes actually take effect in the database. Changes are submitted by clicking the submit button at the top or by typing Cmd + Enter.

There's also a query console, where SQL commands and scripts can be typed in and run like in the terminal, but with the autocomplete assistance of being in an IDE.

Conclusion

There are database GUI tools like pgAdmin, but nothing beats being able to stay inside IntelliJ. It's a huge efficiency booster.