DuckDB in Action (MEAP V08)

Dive into DuckDB and start processing gigabytes of data with ease—all with no data warehouse.

You don’t need expensive hardware or to spin up a whole new cluster whenever you want to analyze a big data set. You just need DuckDB! This modern and fast embedded database runs on a laptop, and lets you easily process data from almost any source, including JSON, CSV, Parquet, SQLite and Postgres. In DuckDB in Action you’ll learn everything you need to know to get the most out of this awesome tool, keep your data secure on prem, and save you hundreds on your cloud bill.

Open up DuckDB in Action and learn how to
Read and process data from CSV, JSON and Parquet sources both locally and remote
Write analytical SQL queries, including aggregations, common table expressions, window functions, special types of joins, and pivot tables
Use DuckDB from Python, both with SQL and its "Relational"-API, interacting with databases but also data frames
Prepare, ingest and query large datasets
Build cloud data pipelines
Extend DuckDB with custom functionality

DuckDB in Action introduces the DuckDB database and shows you how to use it to solve common data workflow problems. It’s full of quick wins—right from chapter one, you’ll be finding new ways that DuckDB can speed up your work as a data professional. Each new concept is paired with a hands-on project example, so you can easily see how DuckDB works in action.

about the book
DuckDB in Action will show you how to quickly get your hands dirty with DuckDB. You won’t need to read through pages of documentation—you’ll learn as you work. Begin with DuckDB’s CLI embedded mode, then dive straight into modern SQL queries and utilizing DuckDB’s handy SQL extensions. From there, you’ll explore the different ways you can analyze data with DuckDB, including advanced aggregation and analysis, data without persistence, and DuckDB’s underlying architecture. Learn how to combine DuckDB with the Python ecosystem for even greater customization, and how to extend DuckDB with its own tools. You’ll take to DuckDB like a duck to water, rapidly solving almost any relational data task with zero friction.

about the reader
For data scientists, data engineers, and developers interested in analyzing structured data. You’ll need some knowledge of Python, CLI tools, and SQL to get the most out of this guide.

about the authors
Mark Needham is a blogger, and video creator at @‌LearnDataWithMark, where his series on DuckDB offers viewers hands-on insights into practical database applications.

Michael Hunger works on the open source Neo4j graph database filling many roles, where leads the product innovation and developer product strategy.

Michael Simons is a Java Champion, author, and Staff Software Engineer at Neo4j and has been working professionally as a developer for more than 20 years.