In this tutorial we will se how to enter SQL commands in Jupyter Notebooks by using Magic commands.

Magic commands

In order to be able to run SQL commands in a Jupyter notebook cell, we need to use what are known as Magic Commands.

There are two types of magic commands:

• Line magic: applies to a particular line (starts with %)
• Cell magic: applies to the entire cell (starts with %%)

To run a SQL command by using Magic commands, we have to enter %sql or %%sql, for example:

#applies to only that line
%sql select * from table;

#applies to the entire cell
%%sql

select *
from table
;

How can we start to use SQL with magic commands?

We need to install ipythonSQL extension with the next command

!pip install ipython-sql

Then, we have to load this extension with the next command

%load_ext sql

Now it is time to connect to the database you are going to use. For example, to connect to IBM Database the next structure is followed

%sql ibm_db_sa://my-username:my-password@hostname:port/BLUDB?security=SSL

After connecting to the database, you are free to use SQL commands in your Jupyter Notebook!