"Querying Clouds and APIs with SQL via Steampipe"
"Querying Clouds and APIs with SQL via Steampipe" offers a comprehensive and practical exploration of Steampipe—a cutting-edge platform that empowers professionals to use SQL for querying cloud resources and APIs. The book begins with a deep dive into Steampipe's architecture, plugin system, and query execution lifecycle, illuminating how SQL can seamlessly bridge the world of structured queries with the dynamic, diverse landscape of API and cloud-native data. From installation best practices to advanced internals, readers gain a foundational understanding essential for both new and experienced users.
As the narrative progresses, the book reveals techniques for modeling complex API responses in relational form, managing semi-structured data, and constructing federated queries across disparate providers. Readers will discover robust patterns for error handling, performance optimization, and the extension of SQL specifically for cloud and API scenarios. A major emphasis is placed on security, including credential management, RBAC, IAM integration, data privacy, and regulatory compliance, all crucial for large-scale and enterprise use.
The later chapters equip readers to harness Steampipe's plugin ecosystem—covering everything from custom development and testing to distribution and lifecycle management. Advanced topics include query optimization, API quota management, enterprise-scale automation and DevOps workflows, and the design of distributed, multi-cloud query solutions. Through real-world use cases, architectural best practices, and actionable insights into Steampipe's evolution, this book serves as an essential guide for architects, engineers, and analysts seeking to unify, secure, and optimize their cloud and API operations with the full expressiveness of SQL.