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JSQLFormatter

manticore-projects.com

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Spec score 8.3 #5 of 26 in SQL Linters and Formatters

What it is

JSQLFormatter formats SQL for terminal output, documents, and wikis, and is available as a Java library or command-line executable. It parses SQL with a grammar into an abstract syntax tree rather than relying on regular expressions. Supported statements include SELECT, INSERT, MERGE, UPDATE, DELETE, CREATE, and ALTER, including WITH clauses and nested sub-selects. The listed dialects cover Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, H2, DuckDB, BigQuery, Redshift, Databricks, and Snowflake. Formatting can preserve comments between keywords or within join conditions, while leaving comment-like string literals unchanged. Users can configure indentation, comma placement, and the casing of keywords, functions, and objects, with settings applied per invocation, file, or statement. Output options include ANSI terminal highlighting, HTML, and RTF. A Java-source feature imports SQL strings while retaining variables and can export them as String, StringBuilder, or MessageFormat. JSQLFormatter is free. Its license is Apache 2.0 from version 5.4 onward; releases through 5.3 were AGPL. A NetBeans plugin is a platform target, while Eclipse, JEdit, Squirrel SQL, and DBeaver are listed as planned.

Spec sheet

Purpose
JSQLFormatter is a platform independent SQL formatter, beautifier and pretty printer.Read 4 Oct 2026 · manticore-projects.com
License
JSQLFormatter is licensed under Apache 2.0 from version 5.4 onwards; releases through 5.3 were AGPL.Read 4 Oct 2026 · manticore-projects.com
Founded
2011Read 28 Sep 2026 · manticore-projects.com
Maker
Manticore Projects describes itself as a consulting company for financial valuation, reporting and credit risk management.Read 4 Oct 2026 · manticore-projects.com
Comments
It preserves comments, including comments between keywords or inside join conditions, and leaves comment-like string literals alone.Read 4 Oct 2026 · manticore-projects.com
Configuration
Indent width, comma placement, and keyword, function and object casing can be configured per invocation, file or statement.Read 4 Oct 2026 · manticore-projects.com
Database coverage
The site lists Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, H2, DuckDB, BigQuery, Redshift, Databricks and Snowflake.Read 4 Oct 2026 · manticore-projects.com
IDE integrations
The site says a NetBeans plugin is a platform target and lists Eclipse, JEdit, Squirrel SQL and DBeaver as planned.Read 4 Oct 2026 · manticore-projects.com
Interfaces
The product is offered as a Java library JAR from Maven Central and as an executable JAR for command-line use.Read 4 Oct 2026 · manticore-projects.com
Java source
It can import SQL strings from Java source while preserving variables and export them as String, StringBuilder or MessageFormat.Read 4 Oct 2026 · manticore-projects.com
Native libraries
The installation page labels native dynamic libraries as “Coming soon.”Read 4 Oct 2026 · manticore-projects.com
Output formats
It supports ANSI terminal highlighting and HTML and RTF output for documents and wikis.Read 4 Oct 2026 · manticore-projects.com
Parsing
It parses SQL into an abstract syntax tree using a real grammar rather than regular expressions.Read 4 Oct 2026 · manticore-projects.com
Security and privacy
The product page describes local Java and command-line use but does not state a security certification or compliance claim.Read 4 Oct 2026 · manticore-projects.com
Statement coverage
It supports SELECT, INSERT, MERGE, UPDATE, DELETE, CREATE and ALTER statements, including WITH clauses and nested sub-selects.Read 4 Oct 2026 · manticore-projects.com

Plans and prices

JSQLFormatter Free Apache 2.0 licensed from version 5.4; available as Java library and command-line executable Read 4 Oct 2026 · manticore-projects.com

Every JSQLFormatter plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Parses SQL into an abstract syntax tree.
  • Supports eleven listed database dialects.
  • Preserves comments and leaves comment-like string literals alone.
  • Offers ANSI, HTML, and RTF output.
  • Configuration can be applied per statement.

Limits

  • Eclipse, JEdit, Squirrel SQL, and DBeaver integrations are planned.
  • Native dynamic libraries are labeled “Coming soon.”
  • Licensing differs by release: Apache 2.0 from 5.4; earlier releases through 5.3 were AGPL.

Who it suits

JSQLFormatter suits developers who need to format SQL across the listed dialects, preserve comments, or work with SQL strings in Java source. It is offered as a library JAR and a command-line executable.

Verdict

JSQLFormatter offers broad listed dialect and statement coverage, with configurable formatting and several output formats. Check the release’s license and the status of any IDE integration you need.

Where Specifiction places it

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