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Apache Calcite
What Apache Calcite is
Apache Calcite is a dynamic data management framework that supplies database-management components without providing data storage, data-processing algorithms, or metadata storage. It includes an industry-standard SQL parser, validator, and JDBC driver. Calcite represents queries in relational algebra, applies planning rules, and uses a cost model for optimization. It can mediate between applications and multiple data locations or processing engines, and can push computation to a source database. Listed adapters include Arrow, Cassandra, CSV, Druid, Elasticsearch, JDBC, MongoDB, Redis, Spark, and Splunk. The JDBC driver supports local connections and remote connections using JSON over HTTP or Protobuf over HTTP. Calcite is free and available as source and through Maven for self-hosted use or API integration. It does not store or own data, so a source must be registered through a schema or adapter. Build prerequisites include Git and Java JDK 8u220 or later, with Java 11 preferred. The project directs users to its developers mailing list, Jira, Stack Overflow, and source code for help, and recommends verifying downloads with a PGP signature or hash.
Who it suits
Calcite suits developers who need SQL parsing, query planning, or mediation across data sources in an application. It requires users to register a data source and provide their own storage and processing components.
What it does well
- Free and available as source and Maven artifacts.
- Includes a SQL parser, validator, and JDBC driver.
- Can connect multiple data sources and engines.
- Adapters cover a range of sources and engines.
What to know first
- It does not store data.
- A source must be registered through a schema or adapter.
- Build prerequisites include Git and Java JDK 8u220 or later.
Limits
Calcite does not store or own data, and sources must be registered through a schema or adapter. Its listed free plan is the source release and Maven artifacts.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Apache Calcite | Open source database framework · source release and Maven artifacts | Free |
As calcite.apache.org lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Apache Calcite website.
- Choose the source release or Maven artifacts.
- For a source build, prepare Git and Java JDK 8u220 or later; Java 11 is preferred.
- Register a data source through a schema or adapter.
- Use the API or JDBC driver to connect and work with queries.
Verdict
Apache Calcite provides SQL and query-planning components for applications working across data sources. It is not a storage system, so plan to supply and register the sources and processing components it will use.
Questions
How much does Apache Calcite cost?
The listed plan is free.
Is Apache Calcite open source?
Yes. It is available as source and through Maven.
What platforms does it support?
The listed platforms are API and self-hosted.
Does Calcite store data?
No. It does not store or own data; a source must be registered through a schema or adapter.
What does its JDBC driver support?
It supports local connections and remote connections using JSON over HTTP or Protobuf over HTTP.
What are its build prerequisites?
The development page lists Git and Java JDK 8u220 or later, with Java 11 preferred.
Facts from Apache Calcite's own pages
- Adapters
- Listed adapters include Arrow, Cassandra, CSV, Druid, Elasticsearch, JDBC, MongoDB, Redis, Spark, and Splunk. · calcite.apache.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Contribution
- The project welcomes contributions and recommends discussing large contributions through a Jira case or the developers mailing list. · calcite.apache.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- Calcite is released as source and through Maven; the downloads page lists version 1.42.0 dated 31 May 2026. · calcite.apache.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Federation
- Calcite can mediate between applications and multiple data storage locations and processing engines, and can push computation to a source database. · calcite.apache.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2014 · calcite.apache.org, 28 Sept 2026
- JDBC connectivity
- The JDBC driver supports local connections and remote connections using JSON over HTTP or Protobuf over HTTP. · calcite.apache.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Limit
- Calcite does not store or own data; a data source must be registered through a schema or adapter. · calcite.apache.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Apache Calcite is a dynamic data management framework that provides components of a database management system while omitting data storage, data processing algorithms, and metadata storage. · calcite.apache.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Query optimization
- Calcite represents queries in relational algebra, applies planning rules, and optimizes using a cost model. · calcite.apache.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Release integrity
- The downloads page instructs users to verify downloaded artifacts with a PGP signature or hash. · calcite.apache.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Runtime requirements
- The development page lists Git and Java JDK 8u220 or later, with Java 11 preferred, as build prerequisites. · calcite.apache.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Security
- Apache's Security Team coordinates vulnerability handling for Apache projects, and the project releases fixes through affected package releases. · apache.org, 4 Oct 2026
- SQL
- Calcite provides an industry-standard SQL parser, validator, and JDBC driver. · calcite.apache.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to its developers mailing list, Calcite Jira, Stack Overflow, and source code for help. · calcite.apache.org, 4 Oct 2026
Where Apache Calcite stands on Freedom251
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