knex vs sequelize vs pg-promise vs bookshelf
Node.js Database Libraries Comparison
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What's Node.js Database Libraries?

Node.js database libraries facilitate interaction with databases in a structured and efficient manner. They provide abstractions and utilities to simplify CRUD operations, manage connections, and handle queries. These libraries vary in their approach, ranging from lightweight query builders to full-fledged Object-Relational Mappers (ORMs), catering to different development needs and preferences. Choosing the right library can significantly impact the development speed, maintainability, and performance of your application.

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knex2,311,91019,726874 kB1,193a year agoMIT
sequelize1,755,15129,9172.91 MB95514 days agoMIT
pg-promise474,8403,500426 kB323 days agoMIT
bookshelf53,5376,368-2375 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: knex vs sequelize vs pg-promise vs bookshelf

Abstraction Level

  • knex:

    Knex operates at a lower abstraction level, functioning primarily as a query builder. It allows developers to construct SQL queries programmatically, offering flexibility and control over the generated SQL, but requiring more manual handling of data manipulation.

  • sequelize:

    Sequelize is a full-featured ORM that abstracts database interactions significantly. It allows developers to define models, relationships, and validations, simplifying the process of working with relational databases while providing a rich set of features.

  • pg-promise:

    pg-promise offers a moderate level of abstraction, focusing on promises for asynchronous operations while still allowing raw SQL execution. It provides utilities for managing connections and transactions, making it suitable for complex PostgreSQL use cases.

  • bookshelf:

    Bookshelf provides a higher level of abstraction by offering a model-based approach, allowing developers to interact with database records as JavaScript objects. This makes it easier to manage relationships and perform CRUD operations without writing raw SQL queries.

Learning Curve

  • knex:

    Knex has a relatively gentle learning curve, particularly for developers familiar with SQL. Its syntax is intuitive for constructing queries, but mastering all its features may take some time, especially for complex queries.

  • sequelize:

    Sequelize has a steeper learning curve due to its extensive feature set and ORM concepts. Developers need to grasp its model definition, associations, and migration systems, which can be overwhelming for beginners.

  • pg-promise:

    pg-promise has a moderate learning curve, especially for developers new to promises and PostgreSQL. Understanding its advanced features like transactions and query formatting may require additional effort.

  • bookshelf:

    Bookshelf has a moderate learning curve, especially for developers familiar with traditional ORM patterns. Understanding model relationships and the Bookshelf API is essential, but it is generally straightforward for those with prior ORM experience.

Database Support

  • knex:

    Knex supports multiple SQL dialects, including PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, and Oracle, making it a versatile choice for projects that may switch databases or require compatibility with different SQL systems.

  • sequelize:

    Sequelize supports multiple SQL dialects, including PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, and Microsoft SQL Server, providing flexibility for developers who may need to work with different databases.

  • pg-promise:

    pg-promise is specifically designed for PostgreSQL, leveraging its unique features and capabilities. It is not suitable for other database systems, making it a specialized choice for PostgreSQL applications.

  • bookshelf:

    Bookshelf primarily supports SQL databases through Knex, which means it can work with various SQL dialects, but its focus is more on relational databases.

Performance

  • knex:

    Knex is designed for performance, allowing developers to write efficient SQL queries. Its lightweight nature means less overhead, making it suitable for performance-critical applications.

  • sequelize:

    Sequelize can introduce some performance overhead due to its abstraction and features like eager loading. However, it provides optimizations like lazy loading and query caching to mitigate performance issues.

  • pg-promise:

    pg-promise is optimized for PostgreSQL and can handle complex queries efficiently. Its promise-based architecture allows for better management of asynchronous operations, contributing to overall performance.

  • bookshelf:

    Bookshelf's performance is generally good, but it may introduce some overhead due to its ORM nature. Complex queries or large datasets can lead to slower performance compared to raw SQL queries.

Extensibility

  • knex:

    Knex is highly extensible, enabling developers to create custom query builders and integrate with other libraries or frameworks seamlessly.

  • sequelize:

    Sequelize offers extensibility through hooks, custom validators, and model methods, allowing developers to customize its behavior and integrate it with other libraries.

  • pg-promise:

    pg-promise is extensible with custom query formatting and connection management options, allowing developers to adapt it to their specific PostgreSQL use cases.

  • bookshelf:

    Bookshelf is extensible through plugins and custom model methods, allowing developers to enhance its functionality and tailor it to specific needs.

How to Choose: knex vs sequelize vs pg-promise vs bookshelf
  • knex:

    Choose Knex if you need a flexible SQL query builder that supports multiple database systems and you want fine-grained control over your queries without the overhead of an ORM.

  • sequelize:

    Choose Sequelize if you want a feature-rich ORM that supports multiple SQL dialects and offers extensive functionalities like migrations, associations, and eager loading, making it suitable for complex applications.

  • pg-promise:

    Choose pg-promise if you are working specifically with PostgreSQL and require a powerful library that supports advanced features like transactions, connection pooling, and query formatting with a promise-based API.

  • bookshelf:

    Choose Bookshelf if you prefer an ORM that is built on top of Knex.js and offers a more traditional model-based approach to database interactions, allowing for easy relationships between models.

Similar Npm Packages to knex

knex is a SQL query builder for Node.js that provides a flexible and powerful way to interact with databases. It supports various SQL dialects and allows developers to build complex queries using a fluent API. Knex is particularly useful for projects that require raw SQL capabilities while still benefiting from a programmatic interface. However, there are several alternatives that offer different features and paradigms for database interaction. Here are a few notable ones:

  • bookshelf is an ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) library built on top of Knex. It provides a higher-level abstraction for working with databases, allowing developers to define models and relationships between them. Bookshelf is ideal for applications that require a more structured approach to data management, as it simplifies the process of defining models, handling relationships, and performing CRUD operations. If you're looking for an ORM that leverages the power of Knex while providing a more intuitive interface, Bookshelf is a great choice.

  • sequelize is another popular ORM for Node.js that supports multiple SQL dialects. It offers a rich set of features, including model validation, associations, and migrations. Sequelize is known for its comprehensive documentation and community support, making it a solid option for developers who need a feature-rich ORM. If your application requires advanced ORM capabilities and you prefer a more opinionated structure, Sequelize might be the right fit.

  • typeorm is an ORM for TypeScript and JavaScript that supports various SQL databases as well as MongoDB. It is designed to work seamlessly with TypeScript, providing decorators and a type-safe API. TypeORM is particularly useful for developers who want to leverage TypeScript's features while working with a relational database. If you're building a TypeScript application and need an ORM that integrates well with TypeScript's type system, TypeORM is an excellent choice.

To see how Knex compares with Bookshelf, Sequelize, and TypeORM, check out the comparison: Comparing bookshelf vs knex vs sequelize vs typeorm.

Similar Npm Packages to sequelize

sequelize is a promise-based Node.js ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) library that provides a powerful and flexible way to interact with relational databases such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, and Microsoft SQL Server. It allows developers to define models, perform queries, and manage relationships between data in a more intuitive manner, abstracting away the complexities of raw SQL queries. Sequelize is particularly popular for its rich feature set, including support for transactions, migrations, and associations.

While Sequelize is a robust choice for ORM in Node.js applications, there are several alternatives that developers might consider:

  • bookshelf is an ORM for Node.js that is built on top of the Knex.js SQL query builder. It provides a simple and elegant way to interact with databases while supporting features like relations, virtuals, and pagination. Bookshelf is particularly well-suited for projects that require a lightweight ORM with a focus on simplicity and ease of use. If you prefer a more minimalistic approach and want to leverage Knex.js for building queries, Bookshelf is a great option.

  • objection is another ORM for Node.js that is also built on top of Knex.js. It aims to provide a more powerful and flexible alternative to Bookshelf by supporting advanced features such as eager loading, transactions, and complex queries. Objection is designed for developers who need more control over their database interactions while still benefiting from the simplicity of an ORM. If your application requires complex relationships and queries, Objection may be the right choice.

  • waterline is an ORM that is part of the Sails.js framework but can also be used independently. It provides a simple data access layer that works with various databases, including SQL and NoSQL options. Waterline abstracts the database interactions, allowing developers to work with a unified API regardless of the underlying database. If you are building an application with Sails.js or need a versatile ORM that supports multiple database types, Waterline is worth considering.

To see how Sequelize compares with Bookshelf, Objection, and Waterline, check out the comparison: Comparing bookshelf vs objection vs sequelize vs waterline.

Similar Npm Packages to pg-promise

pg-promise is a powerful and flexible library for interacting with PostgreSQL databases in Node.js applications. It provides a promise-based interface for executing SQL queries and managing database connections, making it easier to work with PostgreSQL in a modern JavaScript environment. With features like automatic connection management, query formatting, and support for transactions, pg-promise is an excellent choice for developers looking to build robust applications that require database interactions.

While pg-promise is a great option for PostgreSQL, there are several alternatives in the Node.js ecosystem that also facilitate database interactions. Here are a few notable alternatives:

  • bookshelf is an ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) library for Node.js that is built on top of knex. It provides a simple and intuitive way to work with relational databases, allowing developers to define models and relationships between them. bookshelf is particularly useful for those who prefer working with an ORM that abstracts SQL queries while still allowing for raw SQL execution when needed. If you are looking for a library that combines the power of knex with an ORM layer, bookshelf is a solid choice.

  • knex is a SQL query builder for Node.js that supports multiple database systems, including PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQLite. It provides a flexible and powerful way to construct SQL queries using a fluent API, making it easier to build complex queries without writing raw SQL. knex is ideal for developers who want fine-grained control over their SQL queries while still benefiting from a promise-based interface. If you need a versatile query builder that can work with various databases, knex is an excellent option.

  • sequelize is another popular ORM for Node.js that supports multiple database systems, including PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQLite. It offers a rich set of features, including model validation, associations, and migrations, making it a comprehensive solution for managing database interactions. sequelize is well-suited for developers who want an all-in-one solution for ORM capabilities, including support for complex relationships and transactions. If you are building a large application that requires extensive database interactions, sequelize provides a robust framework to work with.

To see how pg-promise compares with bookshelf, knex, and sequelize, check out the comparison: Comparing bookshelf vs knex vs pg-promise vs sequelize.

Similar Npm Packages to bookshelf

bookshelf is an elegant JavaScript ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) for Node.js, built on top of the Knex.js SQL query builder. It provides a simple and intuitive way to interact with relational databases, allowing developers to define models, manage relationships, and perform queries with ease. Bookshelf is particularly useful for applications that require a structured approach to database interactions while leveraging the flexibility of Knex for raw SQL queries when needed.

While Bookshelf is a solid choice for ORM in Node.js applications, there are several alternatives that also provide robust database interaction capabilities. Here are a few noteworthy options:

  • knex is a SQL query builder for Node.js that provides a flexible and powerful interface for building and executing SQL queries. Unlike Bookshelf, which is an ORM, Knex focuses solely on query building and does not impose any specific structure on your data models. This makes it a great choice for developers who prefer to write raw SQL queries or need more control over their database interactions without the overhead of an ORM.

  • sequelize is another popular ORM for Node.js that supports multiple SQL dialects, including PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQLite. It offers a rich set of features, including model validation, associations, and migrations, making it a comprehensive solution for managing database interactions. Sequelize is known for its extensive documentation and active community, making it a strong alternative to Bookshelf for developers looking for a feature-rich ORM.

  • waterline is an ORM used primarily with the Sails.js framework, but it can also be used independently. Waterline provides a simple data access layer that works with various databases, allowing developers to interact with different data sources using a unified API. Its focus on abstraction makes it a good choice for applications that require flexibility in switching between different database systems.

For a detailed comparison of these packages, check out the following link: Comparing bookshelf vs knex vs sequelize vs waterline.

README for knex

knex.js

npm version npm downloads Coverage Status Dependencies Status Gitter chat

A SQL query builder that is flexible, portable, and fun to use!

A batteries-included, multi-dialect (PostgreSQL, MySQL, CockroachDB, MSSQL, SQLite3, Oracle (including Oracle Wallet Authentication)) query builder for Node.js, featuring:

Node.js versions 12+ are supported.

You can report bugs and discuss features on the GitHub issues page or send tweets to @kibertoad.

For support and questions, join our Gitter channel.

For knex-based Object Relational Mapper, see:

  • https://github.com/Vincit/objection.js
  • https://github.com/mikro-orm/mikro-orm
  • https://bookshelfjs.org

To see the SQL that Knex will generate for a given query, you can use Knex Query Lab

Examples

We have several examples on the website. Here is the first one to get you started:

const knex = require('knex')({
  client: 'sqlite3',
  connection: {
    filename: './data.db',
  },
});

try {
  // Create a table
  await knex.schema
    .createTable('users', (table) => {
      table.increments('id');
      table.string('user_name');
    })
    // ...and another
    .createTable('accounts', (table) => {
      table.increments('id');
      table.string('account_name');
      table.integer('user_id').unsigned().references('users.id');
    });

  // Then query the table...
  const insertedRows = await knex('users').insert({ user_name: 'Tim' });

  // ...and using the insert id, insert into the other table.
  await knex('accounts').insert({
    account_name: 'knex',
    user_id: insertedRows[0],
  });

  // Query both of the rows.
  const selectedRows = await knex('users')
    .join('accounts', 'users.id', 'accounts.user_id')
    .select('users.user_name as user', 'accounts.account_name as account');

  // map over the results
  const enrichedRows = selectedRows.map((row) => ({ ...row, active: true }));

  // Finally, add a catch statement
} catch (e) {
  console.error(e);
}

TypeScript example

import { Knex, knex } from 'knex';

interface User {
  id: number;
  age: number;
  name: string;
  active: boolean;
  departmentId: number;
}

const config: Knex.Config = {
  client: 'sqlite3',
  connection: {
    filename: './data.db',
  },
};

const knexInstance = knex(config);

try {
  const users = await knex<User>('users').select('id', 'age');
} catch (err) {
  // error handling
}

Usage as ESM module

If you are launching your Node application with --experimental-modules, knex.mjs should be picked up automatically and named ESM import should work out-of-the-box. Otherwise, if you want to use named imports, you'll have to import knex like this:

import { knex } from 'knex/knex.mjs';

You can also just do the default import:

import knex from 'knex';

If you are not using TypeScript and would like the IntelliSense of your IDE to work correctly, it is recommended to set the type explicitly:

/**
 * @type {Knex}
 */
const database = knex({
  client: 'mysql',
  connection: {
    host: '127.0.0.1',
    user: 'your_database_user',
    password: 'your_database_password',
    database: 'myapp_test',
  },
});
database.migrate.latest();
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