XMLGuide
Answering Questions From XML Data With Counts and Joins
A method for turning an XML file into answers: inspect its shape, extract the fields once, check counts and totals, join carefully and record the result.
17 min read
Tag
hub
102 posts
ExcelGuide
Google Sheets Alongside Databases Without the Mess
Run Google Sheets beside a database without chaos: import and publish data, use the API, compare QUERY with SQL, respect limits, plan the exit.
17 min read
YAMLGuide
Analyzing Configuration and Metadata Held in YAML With SQL
Turn a repository of YAML into tables and ask SQL: Compose fleets, version drift, Kubernetes audits, dbt coverage and duplicate keys, with tested results.
17 min read
CSVGuide
Exporting Query Results to CSV From Five Major Databases
The same eight awkward rows exported from PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, DuckDB and MongoDB, then read back: four tools return all 8, one recipe returns 4.
25 min read
XMLGuide
Handling XML in Warehouses and Lakes the Practical Way
How to get XML into Snowflake, BigQuery, Spark, DuckDB and a lake: keep raw files, parse once with a typed schema, store Parquet and reconcile counts.
16 min read
YAMLGuide
Choosing YAML TOML JSON or INI for Config Without Regret
Pick a config format by who edits it and what reads it. One config tested in YAML, TOML, JSON, INI and more: types, traps, errors, size and switching cost.
17 min read
JSONGuide
Using jq to Slice Up JSON in the Terminal Reliably
A tested guide to jq 1.8 for slicing JSON in the terminal: filters, streams, CSV, grouping, logs, safe variables, in-place edits and number quirks.
17 min read
YAMLGuide
Parsing YAML in Languages Other Than Python Compared
One YAML document parsed in Node, Go, Java, Ruby, PHP, Rust, C# and yq: types, dates, duplicate keys, strict modes, safety and parse speed, all measured.
17 min read
XMLGuide
Choosing XML Over the Alternatives or Not for a New Project
A decision guide for XML versus JSON, YAML, CSV and Protocol Buffers, with measured sizes and parse times, six scenarios and a migration path.
16 min read
JSONGuide
JSON in JavaScript and Node Done Carefully and Correctly
A tested guide to JSON in JavaScript and Node 24: what stringify drops, parse errors, big numbers, dates, circular data, cloning, files and large inputs.
20 min read
ExcelGuide
Building Excel Reports From SQL Queries People Trust
Build Excel reports from SQL that readers trust: design the query, write sheets, formats and charts from code, check totals, version the query, schedule it.
18 min read
CSVGuide
How to Validate a CSV File Before You Trust the Data
Validate a CSV delivery in five layers, bytes, structure, schema, values and keys, with line numbers and exit codes: 193,708 rows checked in about a second.
21 min read