Glossary
Text-to-SQL
Definition
Text-to-SQL is the use of AI to translate a plain-language question into a SQL query that runs against a database.
What it means in practice
Modern language models write SQL well, which makes text-to-SQL demos impressive. In real enterprises, though, the difficult part is knowing which tables, joins and rules reflect what the business means.
Text-to-SQL on raw schemas often produces plausible but wrong answers. Grounding it in a semantic layer, so the AI works from certified definitions, is what turns it into trustworthy analytics.
Example
Asked for "revenue by region", a text-to-SQL tool might sum an orders table that includes refunds and test accounts unless a semantic layer tells it the approved definition.