isql

ODBC command-line SQL client

TLDR

Connect to data source

$ isql [dsn_name]

Connect with credentials

$ isql [dsn_name] [username] [password]

Connect with verbose error output

$ isql -v [dsn_name]

Run in batch mode (no headers)

$ isql -b [dsn_name] < [query.sql]

Use custom column delimiter

$ isql -d0x2C [dsn_name]

Output as HTML table

$ isql -w [dsn_name]

Use column headers with delimiter

$ isql -b -c -d0x09 [dsn_name]

SYNOPSIS

isql [options] dsn [user] [password]

isql is an ODBC command-line SQL client. It connects to any database with an ODBC driver.
The tool executes SQL queries interactively or from files. It provides database-agnostic access through ODBC.

PARAMETERS

DSN

Data source name from odbc.ini.

USER

Database username.

PASSWORD

Database password.

-v

Verbose mode with full error descriptions.

-b

Batch mode (no headers, no prompts).

-d HEX

Column delimiter as hex code (e.g., 0x09 for TAB, 0x2C for comma).

-c

Output column names on first row (with -d or -x).

-w

Format output as HTML table.

-n

Use newline processing (multi-line SQL terminated with GO).

-e

Use SQLExecDirect instead of Prepare.

-k

Use SQLDriverConnect.

-3

Use ODBC 3 calls.

-L NUM

Maximum characters per field (default: 300).

-q

Wrap character fields in double quotes.

--version

Print version and exit.

CAVEATS

Requires ODBC drivers. DSN must be configured. Part of unixODBC.

HISTORY

isql is part of unixODBC, providing command-line database access through the Open Database Connectivity standard.