Show HN: Squirreling: a browser-native SQL engine (blog.hyperparam.app)

Hyperparam has announced Squirreling, a groundbreaking browser-native SQL engine designed to efficiently manage and analyze large datasets derived from LLMs (Large Language Models). Unlike existing solutions that rely on WebAssembly, Squirreling is lightweight at only ~9 KB and operates entirely without a backend, achieving instant startup and consistent memory usage. This innovative architecture enables async-native execution, with capabilities for streaming query results that significantly enhance interactivity, making it ideal for exploratory data analysis. The significance of Squirreling lies in its ability to address the limitations of traditional browser-based SQL engines, which struggle with startup times, memory management, and responsiveness. Key technical features include a late materialization strategy that delays expensive computations until necessary, and flexible querying paths that optimize performance based on the nature of the query. As an open-source resource, Squirreling not only empowers developers to build advanced interactive data applications directly in browsers but also supports cloud-native data formats like Parquet, reflecting a shift towards more efficient, client-side data exploration.