The `Sequel` Object Model¶ ↑

Sequel’s dataset layer is mostly structured as an DSL, so it often obscures what actual objects are being used. For example, you don’t usually create Sequel objects by calling new on the object’s class (other than Sequel::Model instances). However, just as almost everything in ruby is an object, all the methods you call in Sequel deal with objects behind the scenes.

In addition to the standard ruby types, there are four main types of Sequel-specific objects that you deal when programming with Sequel:

Sequel::Database
Sequel::Dataset
Sequel::Model
Sequel::SQL::Expression (and subclasses)

`Sequel::Database`¶ ↑

Sequel::Database is the main Sequel object that you deal with. It’s usually created by the Sequel.connect method:

DB = Sequel.connect('postgres://host/database')

A Sequel::Database object represents the database you are connecting to. Sequel::Database handles things like Sequel::Dataset creation,

dataset = DB[:table]

schema modification,

DB.create_table(:table) do
  primary_key :id
  String :name
end

and transactions:

DB.transaction do
  DB[:table].insert(column: value)
end

Sequel::Database#literal can be used to take any object that Sequel handles and literalize the object to an SQL string fragment:

DB.literal(DB[:table]) # (SELECT * FROM "table")

`Sequel::Dataset`¶ ↑

Sequel::Dataset objects represent SQL queries. They are created from a Sequel::Database object:

dataset = DB[:table]         # SELECT * FROM "table"
dataset = DB.from(table)     # SELECT * FROM "table"
dataset = DB.select(:column) # SELECT "column"

Most Sequel::Dataset methods that do not execute queries return modified copies of the receiver, and the general way to build queries in Sequel is via a method chain:

dataset = DB[:test].
            select(:column1, :column2).
            where(column3: 4).
            order(:column5)

Such a method chain is a more direct way of doing:

dataset = DB[:test]
dataset = dataset.select(:column1, :column2)
dataset = dataset.where(column3: 4)
dataset = dataset.order(:column5)

When you are ready to execute your query, you call one of the Sequel::Dataset action methods. For returning rows, you can do:

dataset.first
dataset.all
dataset.each{|row| row}

For inserting, updating, or deleting rows, you can do:

dataset.insert(column: value)
dataset.update(column: value)
dataset.delete

All datasets are related to their database object, which you can access via the Sequel::Dataset#db method:

dataset.db # => DB

`Sequel::Model`¶ ↑

Sequel::Model classes are wrappers around a particular Sequel::Dataset object that add custom behavior, both custom behavior for the entire set of rows in the dataset (the model’s class methods), custom behavior for a subset of rows in the dataset (the model’s dataset methods), and custom behavior for single rows in the dataset (the model’s instance methods).

Unlike most other Sequel objects, Sequel::Model classes and instances are generally created by the user using standard ruby syntax:

class Album < Sequel::Model
end
album = Album.new

Model classes that use a non-default Database instance or table name generally use the Sequel::Model method to create the superclass:

class Album < Sequel::Model(DB[:music_albums])
end
album = Album.new

All model classes are related to their Sequel::Dataset object, which you can access via the Sequel::Model.dataset method:

Album.dataset # SELECT * FROM "albums"

Additionally, all model classes are related to their dataset’s Sequel::Database object, which you can access via the Sequel::Model.db method:

Album.db # => DB

Standard Ruby Types¶ ↑

Where possible, Sequel uses ruby’s standard types to represent SQL concepts. In the examples here, the text to the right side of the # sign is the output if you pass the left side to Sequel::Database#literal.

Symbol¶ ↑

Ruby symbols represent SQL identifiers (tables, columns, schemas):

:schema # "schema"
:table  # "table"
:column # "column"

Integer, Float, BigDecimal, String, Date, Time, DateTime¶ ↑

Ruby’s Integer, Float, BigDecimal, String, Date, Time, and DateTime classes represent similar types in SQL:

1                     # 1
1.0                   # 1.0
BigDecimal.new('1.0') # 1.0
"string"              # 'string'
Date.new(2012, 5, 6)  # '2012-05-06'
Time.now              # '2012-05-06 10:20:30'
DateTime.now          # '2012-05-06 10:20:30'

Hash¶ ↑

Sequel generally uses hash objects to represent equality:

{column: 1} # ("column" = 1)

However, if you use an array as the hash value, it represents inclusion in the value list:

{column: [1, 2, 3]} # ("column" IN (1, 2, 3))

You can also use a Sequel::Dataset instance as the hash value, which will be used to represent inclusion in the subselect:

{column: DB[:table].select(:column)} # ("column" IN (SELECT "column" FROM "table"))

If you pass true, false, or nil as the hash value, it represents identity:

{column: nil} # ("column" IS NULL)

If you pass a Range object, it will be used as the bounds for a greater than and less than operation:

{column: 1..2}  # (("column" >= 1) AND ("column" <= 2))
{column: 1...3} # (("column" >= 1) AND ("column" < 3))

If you pass a Regexp object as the value, it will be used as a regular expression operation if the database supports it:

{column: /a.*b/} # ("column" ~ 'a.*b')

Array¶ ↑

Sequel generally treats arrays as an SQL value list:

[1, 2, 3] # (1, 2, 3)

However, if all members of the array are arrays with two members, then the array is treated like a hash:

[[:column, 1]] # ("column" = 1)

The advantage of using an array over a hash for such a case is that a hash cannot include multiple objects with the same key, while the array can.

`Sequel::SQL::Expression` (and subclasses)¶ ↑

If Sequel needs to represent an SQL concept that does not map directly to an existing ruby class, it will generally use a Sequel::SQL::Expression subclass to represent that concept.

Some of the examples below show examples that require the core_extensions extension.

`Sequel::LiteralString`¶ ↑

Sequel::LiteralString is not actually a Sequel::SQL::Expression subclass. It is a subclass of String, but it is treated specially by Sequel, in that it is treated as literal SQL code, instead of as an SQL string that needs to be escaped:

Sequel::LiteralString.new("co'de") # co'de

The following shortcuts exist for creating Sequel::LiteralString objects:

Sequel.lit("co'de")
"co'de".lit # core_extensions extension

`Sequel::SQL::Blob`¶ ↑

Sequel::SQL::Blob is also a String subclass, but it is treated as an SQL blob instead of an SQL string, as SQL blobs often have different literalization rules than SQL strings do:

Sequel::SQL::Blob.new("blob")

The following shortcuts exist for creating Sequel::SQL::Blob objects:

Sequel.blob("blob")
"blob".to_sequel_blob  # core_extensions extension

`Sequel::SQLTime`¶ ↑

Sequel::SQLTime is a Time subclass. However, it is treated specially by Sequel in that only the time component is literalized, not the date part. This type is used to represent SQL time types, which do not contain date information.

Sequel::SQLTime.create(10, 20, 30) # "10:20:30"

`Sequel::SQL::ValueList`¶ ↑

Sequel::SQL::ValueList objects always represent SQL value lists. Most ruby arrays represent value lists in SQL, except that arrays of two-element arrays are treated similar to hashes. Such arrays can be wrapped in this class to ensure they are treated as value lists. This is important when doing a composite key IN lookup, which some databases support. Sequel::SQL::ValueList is an ::Array subclass with no additional behavior, so it can be instantiated like a normal array:

Sequel::SQL::ValueList.new([[1, 2], [3, 4]]) # ((1, 2), (3, 4))

In general, you don’t need to create Sequel::SQL::ValueList instances manually, they will be created automatically where they are required in most cases.

The following shortcuts exist for creating Sequel::SQL::ValueList objects:

Sequel.value_list([[1, 2], [3, 4]])
[[1, 2], [3, 4]].sql_value_list # core_extensions extension

`Sequel::SQL::Identifier`¶ ↑

Sequel::SQL::Identifier objects represent single identifiers. The main reason for their existence is they support many additional Sequel specific methods that are not supported on plain symbols:

Sequel::SQL::Identifier.new(:colum) # "col"

The following shortcuts exist for creating Sequel::SQL::Identifier objects:

Sequel[:column]
Sequel.identifier(:column)
:column.identifier # core_extensions extension

`Sequel::SQL::QualifiedIdentifier`¶ ↑

Sequel::SQL::QualifiedIdentifier objects represent qualified identifiers:

Sequel::SQL::QualifiedIdentifier.new(:table, :column) # "table"."column"

The following shortcuts exist for creating Sequel::SQL::QualifiedIdentifier objects:

Sequel[:table][:column]
Sequel.qualify(:table, :column)
:column.qualify(:table) # core_extensions extension

`Sequel::SQL::AliasedExpression`¶ ↑

Sequel::SQL::AliasedExpression objects represent aliased expressions in SQL. The alias is treated as an identifier, but the expression can be an arbitrary Sequel expression:

Sequel::SQL::AliasedExpression.new(:column, :alias)
# "column" AS "alias"

Derived column lists are also supported:

Sequel::SQL::AliasedExpression.new(:table, :alias, [:column_alias1, :column_alias2])
# "table" AS "alias"("column_alias1", "column_alias2")

The following shortcuts exist for creating Sequel::SQL::AliasedExpression objects:

Sequel[:column].as(:alias)
Sequel.as(:column, :alias)
Sequel.as(:column, :alias, [:column_alias1, :column_alias2])
:column.as(:alias) # core_extensions or symbol_as extension

`Sequel::SQL::ComplexExpression`¶ ↑

Sequel::SQL::ComplexExpression objects mostly represent SQL operations with arguments. There are separate subclasses for representing boolean operations such as AND and OR (Sequel::SQL::BooleanExpression), mathematical operations such as + and - (Sequel::SQL::NumericExpression), and string operations such as || and LIKE (Sequel::SQL::StringExpression).

Sequel::SQL::BooleanExpression.new(:OR, :col1, :col2) # ("col1" OR "col2")
Sequel::SQL::NumericExpression.new(:+, :column, 2) # ("column" + 2)
Sequel::SQL::StringExpression.new(:"||", :column, "b") # ("column" || 'b')

There are many shortcuts for creating Sequel::SQL::ComplexExpression objects:

Sequel.or(:col1, :col2)
:col1 | :col2 # core_extensions extension

Sequel.+(:column, 2)
:column + 2 # core_extensions extension

Sequel.join([:column, 'b'])
:column + 'b' # core_extensions extension

`Sequel::SQL::CaseExpression`¶ ↑

Sequel::SQL::CaseExpression objects represent SQL CASE expressions, which represent branches in the database, similar to ruby case expressions. Like ruby’s case expressions, these case expressions can have a implicit value you are comparing against:

Sequel::SQL::CaseExpression.new({2=>1}, 0, :a) # CASE "a" WHEN 2 THEN 1 ELSE 0 END

Or they can treat each condition separately:

Sequel::SQL::CaseExpression.new({{a: 2}=>1}, 0) # CASE WHEN ("a" = 2) THEN 1 ELSE 0 END

In addition to providing a hash, you can also provide an array of two-element arrays:

Sequel::SQL::CaseExpression.new([[2, 1]], 0, :a) # CASE "a" WHEN 2 THEN 1 ELSE 0 END

The following shortcuts exist for creating Sequel::SQL::CaseExpression objects:

Sequel.case({2=>1}, 0, :a)
Sequel.case({{a: 2}=>1}, 0)

{2=>1}.case(0, :a) # core_extensions extension
{{a: 2}=>1}.case(0) # core_extensions extension

`Sequel::SQL::Cast`¶ ↑

Sequel::SQL::Cast objects represent CAST expressions in SQL, which does explicit typecasting in the database. With Sequel, you provide the expression to typecast as well as the type to cast to. The type can either be a generic type, given as a ruby class:

Sequel::SQL::Cast.new(:a, String) # (CAST "a" AS text)

or a specific type, given as a symbol or string:

Sequel::SQL::Cast.new(:a, :int4) # (CAST "a" AS int4)

The following shortcuts exist for creating Sequel::SQL::Cast objects:

Sequel.cast(:a, String)
Sequel.cast(:a, :int4)

:a.cast(String) # core_extensions extension
:a.cast(:int4) # core_extensions extension

`Sequel::SQL::ColumnAll`¶ ↑

Sequel::SQL::ColumnAll objects represent the selection of all columns from a table:

Sequel::SQL::ColumnAll.new(:table) # "table".*

The following shortcut exists for creating Sequel::SQL::ColumnAll objects:

Sequel[:table].*
Sequel[:schema][:table].*
:table.* # core_extensions extension

`Sequel::SQL::Constant`¶ ↑

Sequel::SQL::Constant objects represent constants or pseudo-constants in SQL, such as TRUE, NULL, and CURRENT_TIMESTAMP. These are not designed to be created or used by the end user, but some existing values are predefined under the Sequel namespace:

Sequel::CURRENT_TIMESTAMP # CURRENT_TIMESTAMP

These objects are usually used as values in queries:

DB[:table].insert(time: Sequel::CURRENT_TIMESTAMP)

`Sequel::SQL::DelayedEvaluation`¶ ↑

Sequel::SQL::DelayedEvaluation objects represent an evaluation that is delayed until query literalization.

Sequel::SQL::DelayedEvaluation.new(proc{some_model.updated_at})

The following shortcut exists for creating Sequel::SQL::DelayedEvaluation objects:

Sequel.delay{some_model.updated_at}

Note how Sequel.delay requires a block, while Sequel::SQL::DelayedEvaluation.new accepts a generic callable object.

Let’s say you wanted a dataset for the number of objects greater than some attribute of another object:

ds = DB[:table].where{updated_at > some_model.updated_at}

The problem with the above query is that it evaluates “some_model.updated_at” statically, so if you change some_model.updated_at later, it won’t affect this dataset. You can use Sequel.delay to fix this:

ds = DB[:table].where{updated_at > Sequel.delay{some_model.updated_at}}

This will evaluate “some_model.updated_at” every time you literalize the dataset (usually every time it is executed).

`Sequel::SQL::Function`¶ ↑

Sequel::SQL::Function objects represents database function calls, which take a function name and any arguments:

Sequel::SQL::Function.new(:func, :a, 2) # func("a", 2)

The following shortcuts exist for creating Sequel::SQL::Function objects:

Sequel.function(:func, :a, 2)
:func.sql_function(:a, 2) # core_extensions extension

`Sequel::SQL::JoinClause`¶ ↑

Sequel::SQL::JoinClause objects represent SQL JOIN clauses. They are usually not created manually, as the Dataset join methods create them automatically.

`Sequel::SQL::PlaceholderLiteralString`¶ ↑

Sequel::SQL::PlaceholderLiteralString objects represent a literal SQL string with placeholders for variables. There are three types of these objects. The first type uses question marks with multiple placeholder value objects:

Sequel::SQL::PlaceholderLiteralString.new('? = ?', [:a, 1]) # "a" = 1

The second uses named placeholders with colons and a hash of placeholder value objects:

Sequel::SQL::PlaceholderLiteralString.new(':b = :v', [{b: :a, v: 1}]) # "a" = 1

The third uses an array instead of a string, with multiple placeholder objects, each one going in between the members of the array:

Sequel::SQL::PlaceholderLiteralString.new(['', ' = '], [:a, 1]) # "a" = 1

For any of these three forms, you can also include a third argument for whether to include parentheses around the string:

Sequel::SQL::PlaceholderLiteralString.new('? = ?', [:a, 1], true) # ("a" = 1)

The following shortcuts exist for creating Sequel::SQL::PlaceholderLiteralString objects:

Sequel.lit('? = ?', :a, 1)
Sequel.lit(':b = :v', b: :a, v: 1)
Sequel.lit(['', ' = '], :a, 1)

'? = ?'.lit(:a, 1) # core_extensions extension
':b = :v'.lit(b: :a, v: 1) # core_extensions extension

`Sequel::SQL::OrderedExpression`¶ ↑

Sequel::SQL::OrderedExpression objects represent ascending or descending sorts, used by the Dataset order methods. They take an expression, and whether to sort it ascending or descending:

Sequel::SQL::OrderedExpression.new(:a) # "a" DESC
Sequel::SQL::OrderedExpression.new(:a, false) # "a" ASC

Additionally, they take an options hash, which can be used to specify how nulls can be sorted:

Sequel::SQL::OrderedExpression.new(:a, true, nulls: :first) # "a" DESC NULLS FIRST
Sequel::SQL::OrderedExpression.new(:a, false, nulls: :last) # "a" ASC NULLS LAST

The following shortcuts exist for creating Sequel::SQL::OrderedExpression objects:

Sequel.asc(:a)
Sequel.desc(:a)
Sequel.asc(:a, nulls: :first)
Sequel.desc(:a, nulls: :last)

:a.asc # core_extensions extension
:a.desc # core_extensions extension
:a.asc(nulls: :first) # core_extensions extension
:a.desc(nulls: :last) # core_extensions extension

`Sequel::SQL::Subscript`¶ ↑

Sequel::SQL::Subscript objects represent SQL database array access. They take an expression and an array of indexes (or a range for an SQL array slice):

Sequel::SQL::Subscript.new(:a, [1]) # "a"[1]
Sequel::SQL::Subscript.new(:a, [1, 2]) # "a"[1, 2]
Sequel::SQL::Subscript.new(:a, [1..2]) # "a"[1:2]

The following shortcuts exist for creating Sequel::SQL::Subscript objects:

Sequel.subscript(:a, 1)
Sequel.subscript(:a, 1, 2)
Sequel.subscript(:a, 1..2)

:a.sql_subscript(1) # core_extensions extension
:a.sql_subscript(1, 2) # core_extensions extension
:a.sql_subscript(1..2) # core_extensions extension

`Sequel::SQL::VirtualRow`¶ ↑

Sequel::SQL::VirtualRow is a BasicObject subclass that is the backbone behind the block expression support:

DB[:table].where{a < 1}

In the above code, the block is instance-evaled inside a VirtualRow instance.

These objects are usually not instantiated manually. See the Virtual Row Guide for details.

`Sequel::SQL::Window`¶ ↑

Sequel::SQL::Window objects represent the windows used by Sequel::SQL::Function. They use a hash-based API, supporting the :frame, :order, :partition, and :window options:

Sequel::SQL::Window.new(order: :a) # (ORDER BY "a")
Sequel::SQL::Window.new(partition: :a) # (PARTITION BY "a")

Sequel::SQL::Window.new(partition: :a, frame: :all)
# (PARTITION BY "a" ROWS BETWEEN UNBOUNDED PRECEDING AND UNBOUNDED FOLLOWING)

`Sequel::SQL::Wrapper`¶ ↑

Sequel::SQL::Wrapper objects wrap arbitrary objects so that they can be used in Sequel expressions:

o = Object.new
def o.sql_literal_append(ds, sql) sql << "foo" end
Sequel::SQL::Wrapper.new(o) # foo

The advantage of wrapping the object is that you can the call Sequel methods on the wrapper that would not be defined on the object itself:

Sequel::SQL::Wrapper.new(o) + 1 # (foo + 1)

You can use the Sequel.[] method to wrap any object:

Sequel[o]

However, note that that does not necessarily return a Sequel::SQL::Wrapper object, it may return a different class of object, such as a Sequel::SQL::ComplexExpression subclass object.

object_model.rdoc

The Sequel Object Model¶ ↑