PgSanity
PgSanity checks PostgreSQL SQL files for syntax errors using ecpg, which relies on PostgreSQL’s parser.
What PgSanity is
PgSanity checks PostgreSQL SQL files for syntax errors using ecpg, which relies on PostgreSQL’s parser. It wraps SQL in an embedded-SQL form inside a C-like file before checking it. Provide one or more filenames to receive syntax errors with file and line details. If no filenames are supplied, PgSanity reads from standard input, allowing interactive use or input piped from another process. It returns status 0 when the syntax looks good and status 1 when it finds errors, so a workflow can respond to the result. The project includes a pre-commit hook called pgsanity_lint. It is a free Python package for Linux and self-hosted use, installable from PyPI using pip or uv and also available through FreeBSD ports. It requires Python 3.9 or later and ecpg; the README lists package names for Ubuntu/Debian, RHEL/CentOS, and Arch. The stated SQL dialect is PostgreSQL, and PyPI lists the license as MIT. The README directs users to GitHub to report problems, including incorrect syntax results.
Good
- Reports syntax errors with file and line details
- Can read SQL from standard input
- Provides a pre-commit hook
- Free and installable through pip or uv
Watch out
- Requires Python 3.9 or later and ecpg
- Supports PostgreSQL SQL only
- Linux and self-hosted platforms are listed
Who it suits
PgSanity suits developers, IT professionals, and system administrators who want to check PostgreSQL SQL files in a command-line or pre-commit workflow.
Verdict
PgSanity offers a focused syntax check that can fit into file-based or standard-input workflows. Make sure Python and ecpg are available in the intended environment.
Plans and prices
From PgSanity's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2001.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Open-source Python package · requires Python ≥3.9 and ecpg |
The facts
Each one read from PgSanity's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Dependencies
- The stated dependencies are Python 3.9 or later and ecpg; the README lists package names for Ubuntu/Debian, RHEL/CentOS, and Arch.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Distribution
- The project is installable from PyPI with pip or uv and is also available through FreeBSD ports.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Exit codes
- It exits with status 0 when SQL syntax looks good and 1 when errors are found.checked 4 Oct 2001
- File input
- It accepts one or multiple filenames and reports syntax errors with file and line information.checked 4 Oct 2001
- How it works
- It wraps bare SQL as embedded SQL in a C-like file and uses ecpg, which uses PostgreSQL’s parser, to report syntax errors.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Intended audience
- PyPI classifies the intended audience as developers, information technology, and system administrators.checked 4 Oct 2001
- License
- PyPI lists the project’s license expression as MIT.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Maintainer
- PyPI lists Mark Drago as the project’s sole maintainer and author.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Purpose
- PgSanity checks the syntax of PostgreSQL SQL files.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Security reporting
- The README directs users to report problems, including incorrect syntax results, through the GitHub repository.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Standard input
- When no filenames are provided, it reads SQL from stdin for interactive use or piping.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Support
- The README points users to the GitHub project page to report problems.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Workflow integration
- The repository provides a pre-commit hook with the id pgsanity_lint.checked 4 Oct 2001
Alternatives to PgSanity
- 1
Poor SQL
Free planOpen sourceWebAPIExtensionLinux7.3Free plan - 2
SQLFormat.org
Free planOpen sourceWebAPIExtensionSelf-hosted7.1Free plan - 3
sqlfmt
Free planWebAPILinuxSelf-hosted6.7Free plan - 4
RegSQL
Free planWeb6.5From $8 a month - 5
SQLCheck
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.5Free plan - 6
sqlfmt
Free planWebAPI6.5From $9 a month