What is text-to-SQL?
Text-to-SQL is the technique of turning a plain-language question into a database query automatically, so you get an answer without writing SQL yourself. iDBQuery goes further than basic text-to-SQL by executing the query, citing the source rows and verifying the result.
SQL is the language databases speak, but most people who need answers from data don't write it. Text-to-SQL bridges that gap: you type a question in everyday language and the system generates the corresponding query.
Basic text-to-SQL tools stop at producing a query — leaving you to run it, trust it, and hope it captured what you meant. iDBQuery treats text-to-SQL as one step in a larger, safer loop.
With iDBQuery you get:
- The query, executed — it runs the SQL against your live sources and returns the actual result, not just the code.
- Citations — every figure traces back to the exact source rows, so you can confirm the query did the right thing.
- Cross-source reach — questions can span several databases, spreadsheets and documents at once, not a single table.
- Understanding of your schema — a semantic layer maps your real business terms onto cryptic field names.
The difference matters because a query that looks plausible can still be subtly wrong. By executing the SQL, showing the lineage, and grounding everything in a semantic understanding of your data, iDBQuery turns text-to-SQL from a convenience into an answer you can actually rely on.
Updated 2026-06-22