THE FILE FIELD GUIDE

.sql

SQL Script

Web & Development

SQL files may contain create, delete and update operations as well as queries. Dialects differ between database systems; inspect the script and identify the intended database before execution.

What it is used for: Queries, schema definitions and restore scripts
What the file contains: Text

All sections, questions and sources

Content reviewed：2026-10-12 · Editor：Kai

Opening steps

Choose your environment or purpose to see its steps.

Editor: inspect without executing

Reading SQL is different from executing it.

Open a copy in an editor and identify the originating database product.
Inspect schema/data changes and connection-related instructions.
Record encoding, database/table names and product-specific syntax.

Validation: import into an empty test database

Use a separate test database.

Prepare the matching product/version and confirm the test connection.
Import the copy using the documented route and record the first error.
Inspect tables, counts, constraints, text and dates.

Migration: export for the destination

Distinguish dialect migration from moving only data.

Identify the destination and required tables, constraints and views.
Choose a suitable dump/migration tool and perform a test import.
Compare counts, text, numbers, IDs and relationships with the source.

Menu labels and support vary by app, OS and version. Preserve the original before making changes.

Troubleshooting by symptom

Syntax errors: compare database vendors, versions and encoding.
Wrong importer: distinguish plain SQL from vendor-specific dump archives.
Permission/schema conflict: review required access and existing objects without deleting them blindly.
Syntax error: inspect dialect/version differences such as MySQL, PostgreSQL and SQLite.
Table already exists: inspect destination/dump and use an empty test database rather than casually adding deletion.
Text/dates change: inspect encoding, collation, time zone and types.

SQL → restored database / CSV export

Validate in a matching test system and follow the producer’s restore procedure.
Export needed results and verify row counts, nulls, dates and encoding.
Compare tables, counts, types, constraints and encoding after migration; use the product’s supported dump route.

Renaming is not conversion; CSV normally omits constraints, indexes and permissions.

Dump versus command script

SQL files can restore data or modify a database. Inspect intended changes before execution.

Text SQL and product-specific dump archives can need different import tools; do not decide from the suffix alone.

Source for these steps：PostgreSQL Global Development Group · pg_dump / SQLite Project · Command Line Shell For SQLite

Comparing after import

Inspect keys, relationships, nulls, numeric precision, dates and views as well as row counts.

If execution stopped partway through, inspect database state before rerunning the copy.

Source for these steps：PostgreSQL Global Development Group · pg_dump / SQLite Project · Command Line Shell For SQLite

Related-format differences

Related-format differences
Format	Main role	Selection notes
SQL	Commands / text dump	Execution can modify a database
SQLITE	Database file	Different from SQL text
CSV	Tabular data	Does not preserve constraints/logic

Handling and security

Treat restore scripts as code; inspect origin, destination, destructive operations and external program calls before execution.

Questions and answers

Does opening change the database?

Reading in an editor differs from executing in a database tool.

Can I move it directly to another database?

Dialect and type compatibility must be checked.

Does it contain a complete backup?

That depends on export scope/options; review privileges and external data too.

Is SQL the database file?

It may be instructions or a text dump; distinguish it from a database file such as SQLITE.

Can I import SQL unchanged into another product?

Dialect and type differences require a supported migration process and verification.

Format facts: name, steward and MIME type

Formal name: Structured Query Language script / database dump
Steward / specification: SQL implementation / database vendor
MIME type: Depends on the producer or server; an extension alone does not establish a MIME type.

Primary and official sources

Project documentationpg_dump
Explains SQL dumps, archive formats and restore precautions.
PostgreSQL Global Development Group · Link checked：2026-10-12
Project documentationCommand Line Shell For SQLite
Reference for database, SQL and CSV workflows.
SQLite Project · Link checked：2026-10-12