HiveSQL is a centralized database that stores all of the Hive blockchain data and is available for free to all Hive people. It is created and maintained by 
Interacting with the Hive blockchain or any blockchain when you need to get massive amounts of data to analyze is not a very efficient. You can't simply use commonly used programming language, SQL to get data from Hive blockchain directly. HiveSQL takes all the data in the Hive blockchain and stores on a separate centralized database. As the naming suggest we call can get this data with simple SQL queries. This works really fast. I have tried to get data from the Hive blockchain using python in the past and still do sometimes. When you need a lot of data and need to sort and filter things, it gets really messy and slow.
HiveSQL is a great solution. You write simple queries and define your filters and get what you wanted super fast. This project is funded by the community through Decentralized Hive Fund. That's why it is free for all Hive people. In essence, the services you get are already paid for by the community and Hive blockchain. Why don't you use it? I know it is still funded because my queries still work. When they stop working, it will alert me that the service is not funded anymore. We need to understand that this service stores massive amount of data and maintaining it must be very expensive to any one person to provide for free.
I learned SQL because of HiveSQL. I had zero knowledge about SQL and had no clue how it worked. I started learning using other people's scripts here on Hive years ago. The main reason was to make curating process more efficient. My first year on Hive (previously known as something else) was heavily dedicated to curating and I made my first 10k Hive Power mainly by curating activities for Curie. Back then I wasn't much of a blogger and only posted once in a while. Curating paid much more than authoring a post, especially for a new bee.
I would spend endless hours going through hundreds of posts on a daily basis. There had to be a more efficient way, I thought. And there was HiveSQL, previously known as something else. But it was free to use and I thought why not try. I am really glad I did, because it motivated me to learn programming. To use HiveSQL you only need some understanding of SQL. But I wanted more, and started learning python as well, because I wanted to implement a full automation.
SQL with python is the best. Without python, only using SQL may require to use third party UI software. It is ok. You can do that if you prefer this path. What I wanted to do is to have an ability to process the received data more and achieve this with as little clicks as possible. Moreover learning python was important for me, because not only I wanted to use HiveSQL, I wanted to understand how blockchain itself works and wanted to try getting data directly from the blockchain too.
This enabled me to pursue learning both languages. I don't regret it a bit. Trying getting data both ways: directly from the blockchain, and using HiveSQL demonstrates how efficient and power HiveSQL truly is. There was time when maintaining this service became too expensive for Arcange and it became a paid service. I think I stopped using it for a while, then had to restart using it anyway.
I am sure it is more expensive to maintain it now with the growth of the blockchain and the data stored in it. Yet, it is completely free for any Hive person. Just need to get the login credentials, which is easy to do.
So, if you want to learn a little bit of programming, HiveSQL is a great playground to do so. That's how I learned. You can too. I am not a very skillful programmer at all. I only know the basics. But these basics save me a lot of time. If you have time, I would strongly recommend trying. Learning SQL will not take too long. Because all you need is the query basics. You can learn that in a couple of weeks. There are tons of information available for free online. Then start experimenting with HiveSQL. Who knows where it may lead you.
Combining SQL skills with python will boost your skills and and make this process even more efficient. Learning python may take a little bit longer. Learning the basics should not take more than a month. Python is so popular there are tons of learning tools online for free. In essence, one can get basic understanding and skills how to use SQL and python in no longer than two months, without any supervision or need for attending any classes.
What if you could make this learning experience into a money generating experience too? Hive is a great place to learn. Learn something, share your experience on Hive and get rewarded. You get to learn a new skill and make some Hive along the way. But most importantly such experience will make you understand how Hive works a little bit better, and these skills can be used outside of Hive as well. So, if you are interested to learn a little bit of programming HiveSQL is the way to go. If you already have programming skills and don't use HiveSQL, then shame on you. :)
For me it started with curating and a great interest in understanding how the blockchain works. I was lucky to get to know fellow Curie curators who had some programming skills and they were so kind to share their knowledge and scripts. That helped a lot.
I am still involved in curating for Curie. I have been curating on a daily basis from my other account, and you probably wouldn't even notice. For this purpose I have created a Hive Search tool, basically a copy of previously active tools like HiveLookUp. If you haven't seen it yet, it is part of the Librarian app, but has a separate website link - https://hive-search.herokuapp.com. It helps me a lot with curating. If you are a curator or would like to have an ability to find the posts based on certain parameters, you may want to try it. I use it myself everyday. And it is all possible thanks to HiveSQL. It converts the parameters in the app into SQL query and returns the data received from HiveSQL.
One of my first posts about this service was how to setup HiveSQL (previously known as something else) within a python script on a Mac. It wasn't easy task to do. I thought the problems I have experienced could help others too. I sure did. To this day that post has been one of my best posts. Not because of the payout, but because of how many people found it useful in their journey to HiveSQL, new friends made, and collaborating on other topics. It a was a pleasant surprise when I saw even some very talented and experienced programmers finding the guide useful. Since then I have posted the same guide few more time with updates. If you are planning to use HiveSQl with python there are several modules that can help with that. Feel free to read this post to choose the best. I highly recommend using HiveSQL with python.
Another great thing happened during my early learning times. Anarcotech contacted me to hire for a freelance job. Back then Anarcotech and Starkerz were working on a project called "promo". It seems like Anarcotech is not active on Hive anymore, but Starkerz is one of the founders of 3Speak. Anyway, it was great to see someone asking me to create a custom script to get certain kind of data so they can use it in their project. It was kinda funny, because I knew nothing and was just learning, and all of the sudden being asked to do something important. It was a great learning experience. I did it for free of course, but was a great experience. I remember afterwards, Starkerz coming and upvoting all my pending posts as a thank you, lol. The best part is that I could call myself a freelance programmer after that. :)
Since then I found myself involved in running weekly scripts for various projects like Openmic winners, Curie comment contest, etc. I haven't used any of these activities on my resume. I doubt they would do anything, but it was just great to be involved in some of these projects.
For all of these reasons and more, I love HiveSQL. If you use HiveSQL great, if you don't yet, what are you waiting for? If you have time, do it now. It is free. It is fun. It is rewarding. If you have any questions or need any help in your learning journey feel free to ask or contact me on discord. There are many more Hive people who use HiveSQL and all of them are very helpful. That's another great aspect of HiveSQL.
Vote for HiveSQL proposal, if you haven't done so yet. It is indeed a great asset for Hive blockchain and the community.