The Joe Reis Show Hamilton Ulmer - Instant SQL with DuckDB/MotherDuck - Practical Data Lunch and Learn
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May 30, 2025 Hamilton Ulmer, the UI lead at MotherDuck, introduces Instant SQL, revolutionizing how we interact with data. With real-time feedback, SQL queries become instant, making data analysis intuitive and efficient. He draws parallels between SQL tool development and music production, emphasizing user-friendly design. The discussion explores DuckDB's powerful querying capabilities and cloud-hosted solutions, optimizing performance through local and remote server integration. Additionally, Ulmer highlights how Instant SQL enhances user experiences in data visualization and business intelligence.
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Music Production Influences SQL Tooling
- Hamilton Ulmer shares his past as a music producer working in recording studios.
- He loved the instant feedback from digital audio workstations which deeply influenced his approach to SQL tools.
SQL Interaction is Outdated
- SQL's interaction model remains stuck in the 1970s with a write-run-wait cycle.
- This latency interrupts flow and makes debugging tedious, unlike instant feedback in music software.
Waiting on SQL Exhausts the Brain
- Even small wait times for SQL queries cause cognitive fatigue and distractions.
- Our brains are not evolved to wait, making typical SQL workflows exhausting.