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Dolt is Git for Data: a SQL database that you can fork, clone, branch, merge (github.com)

752 points by crazypython · 2030 days ago · 176 comments on HN

Article summary

Dolt is a SQL database that allows users to version control their data using a Git-like interface. It supports features like forking, cloning, branching, and merging, and can be used with MySQL-compatible clients. Dolt also provides a command-line interface for managing data repositories. The database is designed to be easy to install and use, with a simple configuration process and support for various platforms.

Main themes

  • version control for data
  • Git-like interface
  • database management
  • data versioning
  • Git complexity
  • naming controversies
  • data management alternatives
  • binary data management

What commenters say

  • Some commenters believe that Git is too complicated for daily tasks and that Dolt may suffer from the same shortcomings by reproducing the Git command interface.
  • Others argue that Git is widely used and effective, and that its complexity is not a significant issue.
  • There are concerns about the name 'Dolt' being potentially offensive or problematic due to its similarity to a derogatory term.
  • A few commenters share their own experiences with using Git for data management, highlighting both the benefits and drawbacks of this approach.
  • Some suggest that Dolt could be a useful tool for managing large datasets, but others are skeptical due to past experiences with Git.
  • The discussion also touches on the idea that version control systems like Git are not ideal for managing binary data or large files.
  • A few commenters propose alternative solutions, such as using JSON files or other databases, to manage data and version control.