DataWalk: The Alternative To Writing Complex SQL Queries

Writing, executing, and maintaining complex SQL queries involving multiple joins is a significant drain on technical resources and a common bottleneck in data analysis. DataWalk provides a powerful alternative, replacing cumbersome code with a visual, interactive environment. Our full-stack data software platform enables analysts to build the equivalent of highly complex queries through an intuitive interface, delivering faster, more reliable results for critical decision support applications.

Why are complex SQL queries a challenge for data analysis?

For many decision support applications, the core challenge lies in executing complex SQL queries. These queries, which can span hundreds of pages, are not only difficult to write but also to debug and understand. Their performance on traditional SQL databases often degrades exponentially with each additional join, to the point where a query may fail to complete entirely. This creates a significant bottleneck, consuming valuable resources and delaying critical insights.

How does DataWalk provide a visual alternative to SQL?

DataWalk eliminates the need to write code for complex analysis by providing a simple, intuitive visual interface; a knowledge graph called the Universe Viewer. Within the DataWalk Universe Viewer, you can consolidate,organize and connect all your multi-source data around relevant business entities such as people, accounts, transactions, or locations. Instead of writing JOINstatements, analysts create sophisticated queries simply by visually traversing and filtering these connected data sets.

What ensures DataWalk queries are both fast and reliable?

A primary challenge with complex SQL queries is that they often cannot complete if they include many joins. DataWalk's unique technology is engineered to ensure that even the most complex queries run to completion and execute quickly. Benchmark testing demonstrates that DataWalk delivers linear performance through 600 joins and beyond. In contrast, traditional SQL databases often become unresponsive after just a handful of joins, making deep, multi-level analysis impossible.

How does DataWalk make complex queries easy to understand and reuse?

As an analyst builds a query in DataWalk, the entire query path is visualized as a "breadcrumb" trail at the top of the canvas. This makes the logic of the query transparent and easy to understand. Queries can be modified instantly by navigating back through the breadcrumbs and changing a filter or path. Once created, any query can be saved as a tile in the DataWalk workspace, allowing it to be re-run with a single click. As a multi-user, enterprise-class system, these saved queries can also be securely shared with colleagues who have the appropriate credentials, promoting collaboration and standardizing analytical methods across the organization. For more details on our platform's capabilities, see our product overview.

Is DataWalk just a query tool?

DataWalk is far more than a visual query builder; it is a comprehensive product for end-to-end data analysis. It combines a powerful back-end, which functions as a scale-out graph and relational database hybrid, with a suite of analytical tools and an intuitive user interface. This integrated platform empowers organizations to connect all their data in a unified model and extract value without the limitations of traditional database architectures and complex coding requirements.