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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;

See Also

See Also: HeliosDB Feature Index