SQL Interface

SQL Interface

Status: Production-Ready Last Updated: January 4, 2026

---

Overview

HeliosDB provides a powerful SQL interface that extends standard SQL with custom commands for GPU acceleration, multi-region deployments, autoscaling, and Change Data Capture (CDC). All commands are accessible through standard PostgreSQL protocol clients (psql, JDBC, etc.).

Key Capabilities

Capability	Description	Protocol
Standard SQL	Full SQL query support	PostgreSQL wire protocol
GPU Operations	Enable/disable GPU acceleration	SET/SHOW commands
Multi-Region	Configure regions, consistency	SET/SHOW commands
Autoscaling	Control compute scaling	SET/SHOW commands
CDC	Stream changes to external systems	CREATE/ALTER/DROP

SQL Extensions

GPU Operations

Command	Description
SET gpu_enabled = true/false	Enable/disable GPU acceleration
SET gpu_memory_limit = '4GB'	Set GPU memory limit
SHOW gpu_status	Display GPU configuration
SHOW gpu_devices	List available GPU devices

Multi-Region Management

Command	Description
SHOW REGIONS	Display all regions
SHOW REGION STATUS	Current region configuration
SET preferred_region = 'region'	Set preferred region
SET consistency_level = 'level'	Set consistency (eventual/strong/quorum)

Autoscaling Management

Command	Description
SHOW AUTOSCALE STATUS	Current autoscaling metrics
SET autoscale_enabled = true/false	Enable/disable autoscaling
SET autoscale_target_cu = N	Set target compute units
SET autoscale_min_instances = N	Set minimum instances
SET autoscale_max_instances = N	Set maximum instances
SHOW COMPUTE NODES	List all compute nodes

Change Data Capture

Command	Description
CREATE CHANGE DATA CAPTURE ON table	Create CDC stream
SHOW CDC STREAMS	List active streams
SHOW CDC STREAM STATUS name	Stream details
ALTER CDC STREAM name PAUSE/RESUME	Control stream
DROP CHANGE DATA CAPTURE name	Remove stream

Client Compatibility

HeliosDB’s SQL interface is compatible with standard PostgreSQL clients:

Client	Status	Notes
psql	Supported	Full compatibility
JDBC	Supported	PostgreSQL JDBC driver
Python (psycopg2)	Supported	Standard connection
Go (pgx)	Supported	Native driver
Node.js (pg)	Supported	PostgreSQL client
.NET (Npgsql)	Supported	ADO.NET provider

Quick Examples

Enable GPU Acceleration

SET gpu_enabled = true;
SET gpu_memory_limit = '8GB';

-- Queries will now use GPU when beneficial
SELECT region, SUM(sales), AVG(price)
FROM sales_data
GROUP BY region;

Configure Multi-Region

SET preferred_region = 'us-west-2';
SET consistency_level = 'quorum';

-- Queries routed to preferred region
SELECT * FROM products;

Create CDC Stream

CREATE CHANGE DATA CAPTURE ON users
  TO KAFKA 'localhost:9092' TOPIC 'users-changes'
  FORMAT JSON;

SHOW CDC STREAMS;

Related Documentation

• SQL Compatibility Matrix - SQL standard compliance
• Migration Tips - Migration from other databases
• SQL Command Extensions - Complete command reference

See Also

• GPU Acceleration
• Multi-Region Deployment
• Autoscaling Configuration
• Change Data Capture

---

See Also: HeliosDB Feature Index