> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.lenses.io/latest/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.lenses.io/latest/devx/5.5/user-guide/sql.md).

# Lenses SQL

This page describes how to explore and process data in real time with Lenses SQL engines, and use Kafka Connectors to source and sink data, with monitoring and alerting.

{% hint style="info" %}
For automation use the [`CLI`](/latest/devx/5.5/user-guide/cli.md).
{% endhint %}

Lenses has two SQL engines to allow users to explore and process streaming data:

1. [SQL Snapshot](/latest/devx/5.5/user-guide/sql/sql-studio.md) - This is point in time SQL engine powering the Explore and SQL Studio for debugging and exploration of data.
2. [SQL Processors (Streaming)](/latest/devx/5.5/user-guide/sql/sql-processors.md) - These are long-running applications, configured, deployed and managed by Lenses to perform joins, aggregations, data conversion and more.

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="files"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Exploring</strong></td><td>Learn how to use Lenses to explore topics, their data, configurations and consumers.</td><td><a href="https://github.com/lensesio-dev/docs/blob/master/user-guide/sql/broken-reference/README.md">https://github.com/lensesio-dev/docs/blob/master/user-guide/sql/broken-reference/README.md</a></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><strong>SQL Studio</strong></td><td>Learn how to use the SQL Studio to interactively query data in your Kafka topics and more.</td><td><a href="/latest/devx/5.5/user-guide/sql/sql-studio.md">SQL Studio</a></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Processing</strong></td><td>Learn how to process data, join, filter aggregate and more with Lenses SQL Processors.</td><td><a href="/latest/devx/5.5/user-guide/sql/sql-processors.md">SQL Processors</a></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://docs.lenses.io/latest/devx/5.5/user-guide/sql.md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
