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postgresqlsquirrel-sql

Using squirrel sql with postgresql: backslash syntax error?

I am trying to run basic postgresql commands which start with a backslash within Squirrel SQL sql client. For example, I'd like to be able to type 

\dt

to mean "SHOW TABLES" instead of 

"SELECT * FROM information_schema.tables WHERE table_schema = 'public';"

This works from the psql command line. However, when I try to run "\dt" within Squirrel I get a syntax error message:

Error: ERROR: syntax error at or near "\"
Position: 1
SQLState:  42601
ErrorCode: 0

I assume there's some kind of SQL syntax checking going on here on the part of Squirrel? Does any one know a way to make PostgreSQL commands which start with a backslash work in Squirrel SQL? I have the Postgres plugin installed...

Thanks,

Solution

  • The backslash commands are part of the psql client, not the PostgreSQL backend server. psql translates them into batches of SQL, which you can see by running psql with the -E flag, and uses the results to produce the displayed output.

    This means you can't use these commands from other clients.

    Alongside the inability to use pg_dump from within a PostgreSQL protocol session, or get equivalent functionality from the backend server, this is a bit of an FAQ.

    At this point the only real option is to use a client that understands the information_schema or PostgreSQL's catalogs (pg_catalog) and can produce the display you want its self. A popular choice is PgAdmin-III, though I stick with psql myself.