# SQL in Foundry

Foundry supports SQL queries against both tabular data and ontology object types, using a common [Spark SQL dialect](../sql-dialect/index.md). SQL is available from the dedicated [SQL Studio](../sql-studio/index.md) application, the embedded [SQL console](../sql-console/index.md) in supported applications, and external SQL clients connected via [Arrow Flight SQL](../arrow-flight-sql/index.md) or the [SQL REST API](../../api/v2/sql-queries-v2-resources/sql-queries/execute-sql-query/index.md).

## Capabilities

SQL in Foundry enables you to:

* **Query tabular data** using standard SQL syntax powered by the [Furnace](../furnace/index.md) engine.
* **Query ontology object types** using the [Ontology SQL](../ontology-sql/index.md) engine.
* **Create and modify tabular data**.
* **Author Ontology SQL functions (beta)**.
* **Run quick contextual queries** using the embedded [SQL console](../sql-console/index.md).
* **Connect external tools** to query Foundry resources with SQL.

## Getting started

To get started with SQL in Foundry:

1. **Learn the fundamentals** by reviewing the [SQL dialect](../sql-dialect/index.md) documentation, along with the [Furnace](../furnace/index.md) and [Ontology SQL](../ontology-sql/index.md) engine overviews.
2. **Open the SQL editor**, either via SQL Studio or the embedded SQL console in supported applications.
3. **Run your first query** referencing [SQL examples](../sql-examples/index.md).
4. **Connect external tools** using [Arrow Flight SQL](../arrow-flight-sql/index.md).

For details on the roles and permissions that govern SQL access, see [SQL permissions](../sql-permissions/index.md).