---
title: Raw SQL
description: Use raw templates and expression templates when fluent APIs are not enough.
---

# Raw SQL

`tsql` has template APIs for edge cases:

- ``db.expr<TResult>`...` `` for SQL fragments inside fluent queries
- ``db.raw<TResult>`...` `` for full statements when fluent APIs are not enough

Prefer fluent query builders for common `select` statements:

```ts
const rows = await db
	.from("users")
	.where(({ users }) => users.email.like("%@example.com", db.dialect))
	.select(({ users }) => ({ id: users.id, email: users.email }))
	.execute();
```

## `db.expr`

```ts
const rows = await db
	.from("users")
	.where(({ users }) => db.expr<boolean>`lower(${users.email}) = lower(${"Alice@example.com"})`)
	.select(({ users }) => ({ id: users.id }))
	.execute();
```

This is useful for dialect functions, computed predicates, and reusable SQL snippets.

Both template APIs parameterize interpolated values.

## `sqlExpr`

For lower-level helpers or library code:

```ts
import { sqlExpr } from "@bms/tsql";

const trueExpr = sqlExpr<boolean>("1 = 1");
```

`sqlExpr` is a direct constructor around SQL + params.

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