youdidwhatwithtsql.com » bids http://www.youdidwhatwithtsql.com making DBAs everywhere curse! Sat, 24 Jul 2010 16:26:10 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 My Favourite SQL Tools http://www.youdidwhatwithtsql.com/my-favourite-sql-tools/59 http://www.youdidwhatwithtsql.com/my-favourite-sql-tools/59#comments Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:49:36 +0000 Rhys http://www.youdidwhatwithtsql.com/my-favourite-sql-tools/59 Post from: youdidwhatwithtsql.com

My Favourite SQL Tools

]]> BIDSHelper

Enhances and extends the functionality of BIDS. I’ve mainly used this with SSIS but there are many tools for SSAS and SSRS included in the package. Two of my favourites include the variable editor (useful when you add them in the wrong scope) and the deployment wizard. These two things alone have probably saved me hours of time. The Performance Visualisation feature is great for identifying where you should focus your optimisation efforts.

BidHelper SSIS Performance Tab

Features include;

  • Create Fixed Width Columns
  • Deploy SSIS Packages
  • dtsConfig File Formatter
  • Expression and Configuration Highlighter
  • Expression List
  • Fix Relative Paths
  • Non-Default Properties Report
  • Pipeline Component Performance Breakdown
  • Reset GUIDs
  • Smart Diff
  • Sort Project Files
  • Sortable Package Properties Report
  • SSIS Performance Visualization
  • Variables Window Extensions
  • Dataset Usage Reports
  • Delete Dataset Cache Files

SSMS Tools Pack

SSMS Tools PACK is an Add-In (Add-On) for Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio and Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express. Like BIDSHelper SSMS Tools Pack adds some really handy functionality to the host application. Its features include;

  • Window Connection Colouring.
  • Query Execution History (Soft Source Control) and Current Window History.
  • Search Table or Database Data.
  • Uppercase/Lowercase keywords and proper case Database Object Names.
  • Run one script on multiple databases.
  • Copy execution plan bitmaps to clipboard.
  • Search Results in Grid Mode and Execution Plans.
  • Generate Insert statements for a single table, the whole database or current resultsets in grids.
  • Text document Regions and Debug sections.
  • Running custom scripts from Object explorer’s Context menu.
  • CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) stored procedure generation.
  • New query template.

    • Redgate SQL Compare

    This tool makes it so easy to compare and synchronise SQL Server databases. SQL Compare solved a lot of issues we had with deployment at a software house I worked at a few years ago. This was so valuable to me that I joked I’d resign if they took it away from me! All good things said I have noticed the tendency of some people to sync all developer junk objects between databases without any checking. I guess that’s a criticism of people rather than the tool itself. To see the product in action check out these demos. There are some good whitepapers on Redgate’s site explaining the use of the product.

    SQLYog

    A GUI Tool for MySQL similar in look to Query Analyser from SQL Server 2000. Whenever anybody asks about GUI tools for MySQL, this is the one I recommend. Free and paid for version are available for download. I’ve been using the free Community edition for a few years now and have always appreciated its lightweight GUI and nice editor. Worth checking out over and above the pitiful MySQL Query Browser.

    SQLYog Main WIndow

    SQL Server Migration Assistant for Access

    Now there are no more excuses for keeping those horrible Access databases! The tool isn’t perfect but provides a good start to any conversion project. For more complex projects it might not perform well so it’s worth considering commercial tools.

    SQLInform

    SQL Formatter for SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL and others. Online and desktop versions available.

    MySQL Connector / ODBC Driver

    Need to connect to MySQL from SQL Server? Use this with Linked Servers and make that integration happen fast!

    My Favourite SQL Tools

    Post from: youdidwhatwithtsql.com

    My Favourite SQL Tools

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