DBeaver – Universal Database Management Tool

Introduction to DBeaver

DBeaver is a free, open-source, universal database management tool and SQL client for developers and database administrators. Supporting over 80 database systems including MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Oracle, SQL Server, MongoDB, and many more, DBeaver provides a consistent interface for managing diverse database environments. The software is built on the Eclipse platform and offers both Community (free) and Enterprise (paid) editions.

DBeaver provides comprehensive features for database development, administration, and analysis including SQL editing with auto-completion, visual query builder, data editing, ER diagrams, data transfer, and database comparison. Its extensive plugin architecture allows extending functionality for specific database systems and workflows.

Key Features

DBeaver provides SQL editor with syntax highlighting and auto-completion, visual query builder, data viewer with filtering and sorting, ER diagram generation, database object browser, data export/import, database comparison, and SSH tunneling. The software supports transactions, bookmarks, and session management for efficient database work.

Installation on Linux

# Via Flatpak (recommended)
flatpak install flathub io.dbeaver.DBeaverCommunity

# Via Snap
sudo snap install dbeaver-ce

# Ubuntu/Debian
wget -O - https://dbeaver.io/debs/dbeaver.gpg.key | sudo apt-key add -
echo "deb https://dbeaver.io/debs/dbeaver-ce /" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/dbeaver.list
sudo apt update
sudo apt install dbeaver-ce

# Arch Linux (AUR)
yay -S dbeaver

Installation on Windows

# Download from dbeaver.io
# Run dbeaver-ce-*.exe

# Via Winget
winget install dbeaver.dbeaver

# Via Chocolatey
choco install dbeaver

# Portable ZIP available

Installation on macOS

# Via Homebrew
brew install --cask dbeaver-community

# Or download DMG from dbeaver.io

Connecting to Databases

# Create connection:
Database > New Database Connection
# Or click "New Connection" in toolbar

# Connection wizard:
1. Select database type
2. Enter connection details:
   - Host
   - Port
   - Database name
   - Username/Password
3. Test connection
4. Finish

# Driver download:
# DBeaver downloads drivers automatically

SQL Editor

# Open SQL editor:
# Right-click database > SQL Editor
# Or Ctrl+Enter on connection

# Features:
# - Syntax highlighting
# - Auto-completion (Ctrl+Space)
# - Code formatting
# - Multiple result tabs
# - Query history

# Execute:
Ctrl+Enter      Execute statement
Ctrl+Alt+X      Execute script
Alt+X           Execute new tab

Data Viewer

# View table data:
# Double-click table in navigator

# Features:
# - Grid/Text/JSON views
# - Filter and search
# - Sort columns
# - Edit data directly
# - Add/delete rows

# Filtering:
# Click filter icon
# Enter conditions
# Apply filter

ER Diagrams

# Generate diagram:
# Right-click table/schema > Create ER Diagram

# Features:
# - Auto-layout
# - Show/hide columns
# - Relationship visualization
# - Export to image

# Navigate:
# Click table in diagram
# Opens in navigator

Data Transfer

# Export data:
# Right-click table > Export Data

# Formats:
# - CSV, TSV
# - JSON, XML
# - SQL (INSERT statements)
# - Excel, HTML

# Import data:
# Right-click table > Import Data

# Database to database:
# Right-click table > Export Data
# Select database as target

Keyboard Shortcuts

Ctrl+Enter      Execute SQL
Ctrl+Alt+X      Execute script
Ctrl+Space      Auto-complete
Ctrl+Shift+F    Format SQL
Ctrl+/          Toggle comment
Ctrl+D          Duplicate line
Ctrl+S          Save changes
F4              Open table editor
Ctrl+Shift+E    Explain plan
Ctrl+Alt+E      Execute in new tab

SSH Tunneling

# Enable SSH tunnel:
# Edit connection > SSH tab

# Settings:
# - Host: SSH server
# - Port: 22
# - User: SSH username
# - Authentication: Password/Key

# Jump hosts:
# Configure multiple hops
# For complex network topologies

Conclusion

DBeaver provides a powerful, unified interface for managing diverse database systems, making it an invaluable tool for developers and DBAs who work with multiple database platforms. Its comprehensive feature set, extensive database support, and active development make it the preferred choice for database management tasks.