Querying a CSV file
Does anyone know of a simple tool that will open up a CSV file and let you do basic, SQLesque queries on it? Like a graphical tool of sorts, one that is easy to use.
I know I could write a small script to do an import of the CSV into a SQLite database, but since I imagine someone else thought of this before me, I just wanted to inquire if one existed. What's prompting this question is I am getting frustrated with Excel's limited filtering capabilities.
Perhaps some other data visualization manipulation tool would provide similar functionality.
Free or OSS is preferred, but I'm open to any suggestions.
EDIT:
I really would prefer some clear tutorials on how to do the below instead of just "make your sheet an ODBC entry" or "write programs using ODBC files", or more ideas on apps to use. Note: I cannot use MS Access.
Yet another EDIT:
I'm still open for solutions using SQLite. My platform is a semi-ancient Win2k laptop, with a P4 on it. It's quite slow, so a resource-light solution is ideal and would likely get the win.
Have you tried LogParser?
Log parser is a powerful, versatile tool that provides universal query access to text-based data such as log files, XML files and CSV files, as well as key data sources on the Windows® operating system such as the Event Log, the Registry, the file system, and Active Directory®. You tell Log Parser what information you need and how you want it processed. The results of your query can be custom-formatted in text based output, or they can be persisted to more specialty targets like SQL, SYSLOG, or a chart.
Most software is designed to accomplish a limited number of specific tasks. Log Parser is different... the number of ways it can be used is limited only by the needs and imagination of the user. The world is your database with Log Parser.
A tutorial (and a another one) on using the SQL like query language with CSV files I found using google.
Example Query:
logparser -i:CSV "SELECT TOP 10 Time, Count INTO c:\logparser\test\Chart.GIF
FROM c:\logparser\test\log.csv ORDER by Time DESC" -charttype:bar3d
I think OpenOffice.org Database can do what you want. It works like this.
Start Open Office.org Database, it shows the "Database Wizard"
-
Select "Connect to an existing database: Text"
-
Specify path to text files as well as details like separator character etc.
-
Create and execute Queries
If you have ever worked with Microsoft Access you will find the GUI familiar.
If you can do without a GUI there are always the traditional UNIX commands. I use them a lot to do simple queries to (small) CSV files. Here is how it works:
clause operation command
-------------------------------
from join `join`
where restriction `grep`
order by -- `sort`
group by restriction `awk`
having restriction `grep`
select projection `cut`
distinct restriction `uniq`
limit restriction `head`
offset restriction `tail`