SQL/Query tools?

Question

I haven't really done a ton of database work in a few years and have become unaccustomed with the tools available. Back a few years ago I was working with oracle databases and was using primarily TOAD with a little bit of MS Access as my tools of choice to prototype the queries I was using in my applications. I really loved TOAD in that it was super intuitive and really easy to use and I'm hoping to find something similar for MS SQL Server. Something open source or free is preferable, since I doubt my client will want to pay for anything, but I'm willing to hear suggestions of things that cost money if they are far and away the best in class tool available.

Answer 1

Well if you liked TOAD then there is now TOAD for SQL Server: http://www.toadsoft.com/toadsqlserver/toad_sqlserver.htm

Answer 2

Maybe try SQL Manager Express first. If you need more, you can always look for other solutions.

Edit: This was for MS SQL 2005 Express. I hope that there will be a new one for MS SQL Express 2008, and it will be much quicker like VS 2008 compared to VS 2005.

Answer 3

I like Aqua Data Studio. It's Java but don't be turned off, it performs very well.

Answer 4

There's also SQL Prompt from Redgate which has more bells and whistles than you can poke a stick at (MSSQL Only and it's not free)

At the other end of the spectrum is the completely barebones Query Express

Answer 5

I haven't used them, but they are free and they claim to be DBMS-independent:
http://www.isqlviewer.com/
http://www.sql-workbench.net/index.html

Answer 6

Oracle SQL Developer is very good and also works with SQL Server. You could also try DB Solo 3. Both of these are cross platform applications.

Answer 7

Developers in our office are starting to use the free SQLDevolper tool by Oracle (http://www.oracle.com/technology/products/database/sql_developer/index.html). I am still very happy with PL/SQL Developer (http://allroundautomations.com/). Both have a minor learning curve, as does TOAD, but once you get the feel of them it's hard to imagine going back to the SQL Worksheet prompt.

Answer 8

Try squirrel SQL client. http://www.squirrelsql.org/

Answer 9

I use Toad, but hate it. It is buggy but for me it gets the job done. I have always been impressed with Embarcadero, you can tell they know how to design software. If I had the money I would probably buy a tool from them. We recently purchased E/R studio after evaluating a ton of other products. I have never liked what Oracle puts out but it is free so in your case I would go with that.

Answer 10

SQL Navigator is another possibility

Answer 11

I like EMS SQL Manager They have versions for all the major db's. Same interface, so if you, like me, use Oracle, ms-sql, mysql and postgres then at least your day to day query/management tool will look the same for all platforms

Answer 12

If you are going to work with SQL Server then use the tools provided by MS.

If you want the power toys as you got used to have in TOAD then look at RedGate products, they have everything you would dream of. TOAD for SQL Server is always an option too.

SqlDeveloper would not let you connect to the server using Windows Authentication, you will need an ODBC, and I expect the same for similar free tools.

You can also use MS Access and create an adp project. There will be no local queries. It would do all the work directly on the server. Creating a query will create a view in the server.

I prefer to stick to MS Management Studio (free tool, comes with the server) and Visual Studio.

Answer 13

Theres a Beta version for Query tool (for free), that can work with different kind of databases and has some really good new features.

Answer 14

@niniki

Try squirrel SQL client. http://www.squirrelsql.org/

Been using this for quite some time, but I have not found out how to do SQL Server Windows Authentication with this one. Do you know how?

Answer 15

azure_ardee, i've looking for the Windows Authentication on Squirrel. If you use the jtds driver you cand add the property DOMAIN to the connection string.

The sintax for the conn str is: jdbc:jtds:sqlserver://[:<1433>]/[;=[;...]]

For example: jdbc:jtds:sqlserver://hostname:1433/db_name;DOMAIN=my_domain

Also, you can click the Properties button, check the DOMAIN property and fill the value with the domain name.

I hope i helped!

Nakro

Answer 16

We offer a nice visual query building tool, called dbForge Query Builder for SQL Server.