Data pipeline setup has traditionally been a complex endeavor, often requiring extensive infrastructure, multiple tools, and careful orchestration. Whether you’re migrating data, setting up a reporting system, or maintaining data consistency across databases, the process can be overwhelming. Enter Sling - a modern data movement platform that dramatically simplifies these operations.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the process of synchronizing data from MySQL to PostgreSQL using Sling. You’ll learn how to set up a reliable data pipeline with minimal configuration, leveraging Sling’s powerful features to handle the complexities of database synchronization automatically.
Gone are the days of wrestling with complex ETL tools or writing custom scripts. With Sling, you can define your data movement requirements in a simple YAML file and let the platform handle the rest. Let’s dive in and see how Sling makes database synchronization a breeze.
Understanding Sling
Sling is built around two main components that work together seamlessly to provide a comprehensive data movement solution:
The CLI Tool
The Sling CLI is a powerful command-line tool that gives you direct control over your data operations. It’s perfect for:
- Local development and testing
- CI/CD pipeline integration
- Quick data transfers
- Automated workflows
With the CLI, you can manage connections, test configurations, and run replications with simple commands. It’s designed to be intuitive yet powerful, making it ideal for both development and production environments.
Getting Started with Sling
Getting Sling up and running is straightforward. Let’s start with installing the CLI tool, which we’ll use for our MySQL to PostgreSQL synchronization.
Installing the CLI
# Install using Homebrew (macOS)
brew install slingdata-io/sling/sling
# Install using curl (Linux)
curl -LO 'https://github.com/slingdata-io/sling-cli/releases/latest/download/sling_linux_amd64.tar.gz' \
&& tar xf sling_linux_amd64.tar.gz \
&& rm -f sling_linux_amd64.tar.gz \
&& chmod +x sling
# Install using Scoop (Windows)
scoop bucket add sling https://github.com/slingdata-io/scoop-sling.git
scoop install sling
# Install using Python pip
pip install sling
# Verify the installation
sling --version
Basic Setup Requirements
Before we begin synchronizing databases, ensure you have:
- Access credentials for both MySQL and PostgreSQL databases
- Network connectivity to both databases
- Basic understanding of the data you want to synchronize
Managing Connections
Sling provides an easy way to manage your database connections. You can set them up using environment variables or the CLI:
# Set MySQL connection
sling conns set mysql_source url='mysql://user:pass@host:3306/dbname'
# Test MySQL connection
sling conns test mysql_source
# Set PostgreSQL connection
sling conns set postgres_target url='postgres://user:pass@host:5432/dbname'
# Test PostgreSQL connection
sling conns test postgres_target
Once your connections are set up and tested, you’re ready to create your first replication configuration.
Creating the MySQL to PostgreSQL Replication
The heart of Sling’s functionality lies in its replication configuration. Let’s create a YAML file that defines how we want to sync data from MySQL to PostgreSQL.
Understanding the Configuration Structure
Create a file called mysql_to_postgres.yaml with the following structure:
# Define source and target connections
source: mysql_source
target: postgres_target
# Default settings for all streams
defaults:
# Use incremental mode for efficient syncing
mode: incremental
# Configure target options
target_options:
# Automatically add new columns if they appear in source
add_new_columns: true
# Define the tables to replicate
streams:
# Use wildcard to replicate all tables with dynamic target object
'mysql.*':
# Target object using runtime variable
object: 'public.{stream_table}'
# Columns to use as primary key
primary_key: [id]
# Column to track updates
update_key: updated_at
This configuration will maintain a continuous sync between your MySQL and PostgreSQL databases, ensuring data consistency while minimizing resource usage through incremental updates.
Running the Replication
With our configuration in place, we can now run the replication using the Sling CLI. There are several ways to do this, depending on your needs.
Basic Replication Run
The simplest way to run the replication is:
# Run the replication using the configuration file
sling run -r mysql_to_postgres.yaml
Monitoring Progress
As the replication runs, Sling provides detailed progress information:
- Number of records processed
- Transfer speed
- Estimated time remaining
- Any warnings or issues
Advanced Run Options
Sling offers several options to customize the replication run:
# Run specific streams only
sling run -r mysql_to_postgres.yaml --stream users
# Override the replication mode
sling run -r mysql_to_postgres.yaml --mode full-refresh
Managing Replications via Sling Platform
While the CLI is perfect for development and simple workflows, the Sling Platform provides a comprehensive interface for managing replications at scale. Let’s explore how to manage our MySQL to PostgreSQL sync using the platform.
Creating Replications in the UI
The Sling Platform features a visual editor that makes it easy to:
- Create and modify replication configurations
- Validate settings in real-time
- Test connections directly
- Share configurations with team members
Monitoring and Scheduling
The platform provides robust monitoring capabilities:
Key features include:
- Real-time execution monitoring
- Detailed job history
- Performance metrics
- Error tracking and alerts
- Scheduled runs with flexible timing
Agent Deployment
Sling Agents are the workers that execute your replications:
Benefits of using agents:
- Run in your own infrastructure
- Secure access to your data sources
- Automatic updates and maintenance
- Load balancing across multiple agents
- Health monitoring and auto-recovery
Connection Management
The platform provides a centralized way to manage connections:
Features include:
- Secure credential storage
- Connection testing and validation
Next Steps
Now that you have your MySQL to PostgreSQL synchronization up and running, here are some ways to take your Sling usage to the next level:
Additional Resources
- Sling Documentation - Comprehensive guides and references
- Example Configurations - More replication examples
- CLI Reference - Detailed CLI command documentation
- Platform Guide - Learn more about the Sling Platform
Community and Support
Join the Sling community to get help and share experiences:
Start small with simple replications and gradually expand your usage as you become more comfortable with the platform. Sling’s flexibility means it can grow with your needs, from simple database syncs to complex data pipelines.