Writing Clean and Standardized SQL with SQLFluff

Writing Clean and Standardized SQL with SQLFluff

Messy SQL can lead to errors, poor readability, and inconsistencies across teams. That's why following best practices is crucial: ? Consistent formatting (indentation, line breaks, and capitalization). ? Explicit column selection instead of SELECT *. ? Clear aliasing and naming conventions. ? Well-structured joins and subqueries for readability.

But maintaining clean SQL manually is tedious. Enter SQLFluff—an open-source SQL linter that automates SQL formatting and validation.

How SQLFluff Helps

?? Linting – Detects inconsistencies, bad practices, and syntax errors.

?? Fixing – The sqlfluff fix command automatically corrects common formatting issues.

?? Custom Rules – Supports custom configurations for different SQL dialects.

?? CI/CD Integration – Ensures SQL standards in automated pipelines.

Example: Fixing a messy SQL query

Imagine you have this unformatted query:

Running sqlfluff fix applies best practices automatically:

Now it’s structured, readable, and follows SQL standards—without manual effort!

Who’s already using SQLFluff in their workflow? Have you tried automating SQL formatting? ??