TextMate offers an SQL bundle. That bundle can also be used to query MySQL and PostgreSQL databases directly from TextMate.
The configuration for the database access is done though environment variables. Specifically the following ones in the case of PostgreSQL:
- PGHOST: Database host
- PGPORT: Postgres port (usually the default of 5432 just works)
- PGUSER: User name
- PGDATABASE: Database to run queries on
- TM_DB_SERVER: Tells TextMate to use PostgreSQL.
You can either set up these environment variables in the TextMate settings or - much more helpful - per project. In the project drawer deselect all files (by clicking on an empty spot) and then open the properties. There you can add project-specific environment variables.
Next open a file in the SQL mode. I now do that by having a specific directory in my project with SQL files. In that file prepare your statements, then select the one you want to run and press Ctrl+Shift+Q (or select the bundle item “Execute Selection as Query”).
Two queries that may be helpful:
<code>
-- list tables
\dt
-- describe table
\d tablename
</code>