Database guides for everyday work

PostgreSQL

How to choose a PostgreSQL GUI for Mac or Windows

A practical PostgreSQL GUI evaluation: connections, permissions, editing, export limits and platform support, with a repeatable trial checklist.

PostgreSQL: list tables, schemas and columns

List PostgreSQL tables and columns with portable SQL, explain missing tables, and distinguish SQL queries from psql commands in a desktop client.

How to list PostgreSQL indexes for a table

Inspect PostgreSQL index definitions with pg_indexes, check column order and partial predicates, and decide what to investigate before adding an index.

PostgreSQL table size: data, indexes and total bytes

Measure PostgreSQL database and table size, separate indexes from table storage, and avoid confusing estimated row counts with exact results.

PostgreSQL SSL modes: require or verify-full?

Understand PostgreSQL SSL encryption and certificate verification, choose verify-full where supported, and diagnose certificate errors without disabling TLS.

PostgreSQL connection refused: a diagnostic checklist

Separate PostgreSQL connection refused, timeout, authentication and SSL errors, then check the right host, port and network layer without risky changes.

How to read PostgreSQL EXPLAIN without guessing

Read a PostgreSQL query plan, separate costs from milliseconds, compare estimated and actual rows, and understand why EXPLAIN ANALYZE executes the query.

Export PostgreSQL query results to CSV correctly

Export PostgreSQL data to CSV with a desktop client or psql, understand COPY versus backslash-copy, and verify row counts, NULLs and spreadsheet types.

Read-only PostgreSQL connections: three layers

Use database permissions, read-only transactions and a client read-only setting together, and understand why a desktop toggle is not a security boundary.

PostgreSQL viewer: list databases and inspect records

Browse a PostgreSQL server, list accessible databases, inspect schemas and tables, and connect to the correct database from Mac or Windows.

Download and set up pgAdmin for PostgreSQL

Find official pgAdmin downloads for Mac, Windows and Linux, distinguish the client from PostgreSQL, and prepare your first connection.

pgAdmin in a browser or Docker: setup decisions

Understand pgAdmin desktop versus web deployment, Docker networking, persistent configuration and access before connecting PostgreSQL.

Connect pgAdmin to PostgreSQL: host, login and TLS

Register a PostgreSQL connection in pgAdmin, verify the database identity, and separate network, authentication and TLS problems.

pgAdmin account locked: identify which login failed

Distinguish a locked pgAdmin web account from PostgreSQL authentication errors and use the appropriate administrator recovery path.

PostgreSQL auto-increment in pgAdmin: identity columns

Use PostgreSQL identity columns instead of MySQL AUTO_INCREMENT syntax, and understand generated values, uniqueness and safe testing.

SQLite

How to open and inspect a SQLite database

Open a SQLite database locally, inspect tables and schema, understand WAL files, and export a result without confusing a data extract with a backup.

SQLite: show tables, columns and CREATE statements

List SQLite tables with sqlite_schema, inspect columns and DDL, and troubleshoot an empty database browser without accidentally creating a new file.

SQLite database is locked: find the blocker

Diagnose SQLite busy and locked errors, identify open transactions and competing writers, and avoid deleting journal files or changing settings blindly.

SQLite WAL and SHM files: what to copy and keep

Understand SQLite database-wal and database-shm files, why copying only the main file can lose recent data, and how to obtain a consistent inspection copy.

How to back up SQLite and verify the copy

Create a consistent SQLite backup with the shell backup command or VACUUM INTO, then validate schema, data and restore behavior before relying on it.

DB file viewer: how to identify and open a .db file

Identify .db and .db3 files, recognize SQLite, preserve WAL state and choose a compatible reader without renaming or uploading unknown database files.

SQLite viewers on Mac and Windows: a practical checklist

Choose a SQLite browser for macOS or Windows, check architecture and OS support, and test files, filters and export scope before switching tools.

DB Browser for SQLite: inspect, filter and edit a file

Understand DB Browser for SQLite and DB4S workflows, compare desktop alternatives, and distinguish file inspection from server connections and backups.

View an Android SQLite database on your desktop

Inspect an authorized Android app database, obtain a consistent SQLite copy, and open it locally on Mac or Windows.

Supabase

How to view a Supabase database: tables, SQL and desktop clients

View Supabase tables in the dashboard or a desktop PostgreSQL client, inspect columns with SQL, and diagnose missing rows without weakening permissions.

Supabase SQL Editor: inspect tables and query data

Use Supabase SQL Editor to inspect schema, run bounded SELECT queries, summarize data and distinguish administrator results from application access.

Export a Supabase database: CSV, schema or backup?

Choose a Supabase export method for a table, query result or restorable database, and verify completeness before relying on a CSV or logical dump.

Supabase backups: what to protect and how to verify recovery

Plan Supabase database backups, understand Storage and role-password exclusions, and build an isolated restore check before depending on a recovery copy.

Using a desktop client with Supabase

Choose the right Supabase connection for a desktop database client, understand database passwords and RLS, and troubleshoot common connection errors.

Supabase password authentication failed: what to check

Fix Supabase database authentication by checking the endpoint-specific username, database password and URI encoding before repeatedly retrying a connection.

Supabase session vs transaction pooler for a GUI

Choose a Supabase connection mode for desktop SQL work, understand session state and prepared statements, and keep migrations separate from serverless traffic.

MySQL, MariaDB and MongoDB

MySQL database viewer: connect, inspect and export rows

Use a MySQL viewer on Mac or Windows, validate connection identity, inspect tables and compare exports without confusing a client with the database server.

How to see all databases and tables in MySQL

List visible MySQL databases, select a database, inspect tables and columns, and understand why permissions can hide names from SHOW output.

MariaDB viewer: inspect databases, tables and structure

Connect a MariaDB desktop viewer, inspect version and table structure, and verify compatibility instead of assuming every MySQL-specific feature applies.

MongoDB viewer: browse databases and documents

View MongoDB databases in a GUI or mongosh, filter documents, limit results and understand plainDB’s MongoDB support on Mac and Windows.

SQL and choosing a client

Export TablePlus connections with passwords

Move saved connections to plainDB for Mac using an encrypted export, including database and SSH passwords.

SQL NULL vs empty string: filters that match

Understand NULL, empty strings and the text null, test SQL filtering with a small example, and avoid losing missing values in comparisons and CSV exports.

SQL pagination: LIMIT, OFFSET and stable results

Make PostgreSQL and SQLite pagination deterministic, understand large OFFSET costs, and use an ID cursor when sequential browsing fits the workflow.

Choosing a TablePlus or DBeaver alternative

Compare database clients by workflow, engine support and platform needs. A practical shortlist covering plainDB, TablePlus, DBeaver and pgAdmin.

Database viewer: choose a tool for the data you have

Choose a database viewer by engine, file format, permissions and platform, with a practical comparison of free tools and plainDB.

SQL file viewer: read a script without running it

Open a SQL file as text, identify its database dialect and review destructive statements before importing or executing any part of the script.

Online database viewers: SQLite files, SQL scripts and servers

Evaluate online SQLite and SQL viewers by processing location, supported formats and credential handling, and choose when a desktop viewer fits better.

How to view tables in SQL: PostgreSQL, MySQL and SQLite

List tables and read rows in PostgreSQL, MySQL and SQLite with engine-specific queries, then diagnose missing tables and empty results.

Database schema viewer: tables, keys and relationships

Inspect database structure, columns, constraints and relationships before editing records in PostgreSQL, MySQL or SQLite.

TablePlus downloads, platforms and free-trial questions

Find official TablePlus installers, check platform and licence requirements, and compare supported database workflows before choosing a client.

Create a database from TablePlus: PostgreSQL or MySQL

Create a development database through a SQL client, understand PostgreSQL and MySQL syntax, and reconnect to the intended database.

View JSON stored in a database without losing context

Inspect JSON database values, distinguish structured JSON from escaped text, and choose a viewer without exposing sensitive records.