knex vs sequelize-cli
Node.js Query Builders and ORMs Comparison
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What's Node.js Query Builders and ORMs?

Knex and Sequelize CLI are tools designed to facilitate database interactions in Node.js applications. Knex is a SQL query builder that provides a flexible and powerful interface for building complex SQL queries programmatically, while Sequelize CLI is part of the Sequelize ORM, which simplifies the management of relational databases by providing an object-oriented approach to database interactions. Both tools aim to streamline database operations, but they cater to different needs and preferences in terms of abstraction and control over SQL generation.

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knex2,145,78619,605874 kB1,177a year agoMIT
sequelize-cli604,5112,54566.5 kB145a year agoMIT
Feature Comparison: knex vs sequelize-cli

Abstraction Level

  • knex:

    Knex provides a low-level abstraction over SQL, allowing developers to construct queries using a fluent API while still being close to the raw SQL syntax. This gives developers the flexibility to write complex queries without losing control over the SQL being generated.

  • sequelize-cli:

    Sequelize CLI offers a high-level abstraction through its ORM capabilities, allowing developers to interact with the database using JavaScript objects and models. This abstraction simplifies CRUD operations and relationships but may obscure the underlying SQL.

Database Support

  • knex:

    Knex supports a wide range of SQL databases, including PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, and Oracle, making it versatile for various projects. Its flexibility allows developers to switch databases with minimal changes to the codebase.

  • sequelize-cli:

    Sequelize CLI also supports multiple SQL databases, including PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, and Microsoft SQL Server. However, it is more tailored for relational databases and may not be as flexible as Knex in terms of raw SQL capabilities.

Migrations and Schema Management

  • knex:

    Knex includes built-in support for database migrations, allowing developers to version control their database schema changes. This feature is crucial for maintaining consistency across different environments and facilitating collaboration among team members.

  • sequelize-cli:

    Sequelize CLI provides a robust migration system that allows developers to create, manage, and execute database migrations easily. This feature is integrated with the ORM, making it straightforward to keep the database schema in sync with the application models.

Learning Curve

  • knex:

    Knex has a moderate learning curve, especially for developers familiar with SQL. Its API is straightforward, but understanding how to construct complex queries may take some time for those new to SQL.

  • sequelize-cli:

    Sequelize CLI has a steeper learning curve due to its ORM nature and the need to understand concepts like models, associations, and validations. However, once learned, it can significantly speed up development by providing a more intuitive way to interact with the database.

Community and Ecosystem

  • knex:

    Knex has a strong community and is widely used in the Node.js ecosystem, with numerous plugins and extensions available. Its popularity ensures ongoing support and updates, making it a reliable choice for developers.

  • sequelize-cli:

    Sequelize CLI also has a large community and is one of the most popular ORMs in the Node.js ecosystem. It benefits from extensive documentation, tutorials, and community support, which can help developers overcome challenges more easily.

How to Choose: knex vs sequelize-cli
  • knex:

    Choose Knex if you need a lightweight, flexible SQL query builder that allows fine-grained control over SQL queries and supports multiple database types. It is ideal for developers who prefer writing raw SQL or need to perform complex queries without the overhead of an ORM.

  • sequelize-cli:

    Choose Sequelize CLI if you prefer an ORM that abstracts database interactions into models and provides built-in features like migrations, associations, and validations. It is suitable for applications where you want to work with JavaScript objects rather than raw SQL, making it easier to manage complex relationships between data.

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-cli

sequelize-cli is a command-line interface for Sequelize, a popular promise-based Node.js ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) for relational databases. The sequelize-cli package provides developers with tools to manage database migrations, seed data, and generate models and migrations with ease. This makes it a valuable asset for developers working with Sequelize, as it streamlines the development process and helps maintain database schemas effectively.

While sequelize-cli is a powerful tool for managing Sequelize projects, there are alternatives available for those who may prefer different approaches or features. One notable alternative is:

  • knex, which is a SQL query builder for Node.js that provides a flexible and powerful way to interact with databases. Unlike Sequelize, which is an ORM, Knex focuses on building SQL queries programmatically while allowing developers to write raw SQL if needed. Knex supports various database systems and offers features such as migrations, connection pooling, and transaction management. If you prefer more control over your SQL queries and want to work with a lightweight library that doesn't impose an ORM structure, Knex is an excellent choice.

To see how sequelize-cli compares with knex, check out the comparison: Comparing sequelize-cli vs knex.

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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