Introduction
What is SoftClient4ES?
SoftClient4ES is a SQL gateway for Elasticsearch. It lets you query, manage, and integrate Elasticsearch data using familiar SQL syntax — through an interactive REPL, JDBC driver, or Arrow Flight SQL server.
Why SoftClient4ES?
Elasticsearch’s built-in SQL (x-pack) only supports SELECT queries with extensive limitations. SoftClient4ES goes far beyond:
| Capability | Elastic SQL | SoftClient4ES |
|---|---|---|
| SELECT queries | Yes (limited) | Yes (extended) |
| Window functions | No | Yes |
| Multi-nested queries (JOIN UNNEST) | Limited | Yes |
| Cross-index JOIN (single & cross-cluster) | No | Yes |
| DDL (CREATE/ALTER/DROP) | No | Yes |
| DML (INSERT/UPDATE/DELETE) | No | Yes |
| COPY INTO (bulk load) | No | Yes |
| Materialized Views | No | Yes |
| JDBC Driver | Paid license | Free |
| Arrow Flight SQL | No | Yes |
| ES 6/7/8/9 support | Current only | All versions |
Neither Elasticsearch nor a stock JDBC driver can JOIN across indices — SoftClient4ES does it at query time on every surface. See Cross-Index JOIN.
All SoftClient4ES client drivers — JDBC, ADBC, and the REPL — are free in every tier. See Licensing for the quota-metered tier model.
Architecture
SoftClient4ES is a multi-module ecosystem:
- Core (Apache 2.0) — SQL parser, AST, query translation, GatewayApi, REPL
- Extensions (Elastic v2) — JDBC driver, Arrow Flight SQL, ADBC, Materialized Views
Next Steps
- Quick Start — Get running in 5 minutes
- SQL Reference — Full SQL syntax documentation
- Integrations — Connect your BI tools