Mac software to open a 16GB SQL file?

Question

I have a 16GB sql database backup I have just taken, what software can I open it with for Mac?

I have tried TextMate, but that just fails completely by just opening a blank page and not attempting to open it. Any software will do (raw text/UI).

Answer 1

Assuming the SQL file was not created on that Mac, and depending on what you want to do with its data: just install the database software on that Mac, and import it into that new database?

Answer 2

There's a Vim plugin that allows it to open large files.

Then you could either go with the CLI version already installed or use MacVim.

Answer 3

How about:

less file.sql

from a terminal window? You can also use grep, etc.

Answer 4

BBEdit can probably handle it (so should TextWrangler), but unless you really need to get inside and make some changes to the data, re-importing into the proper database management software is going to be your best bet.

Answer 5

HexFiend is the best application I've found for extremely large files as it does not try to store the entire file in memory. While more of a hex editor than a text editor it may be more than workable given that it works very, very quickly.

Answer 6

Terminal -> 'vi'