Decent simple SQL Server client

Question

Hi, does anyone know of a very simple SQL Server client tool - that does the same basic functions as Management Studio (i.e. choose a database and run a query - doesn't need an Object Explorer, or anything fancy)?

Ideally it would be great to have a single exe or zip file version that I could take around on a USB key - anything to avoid installing the full set of SQL Server client tools all the time!

Thanks,

John

Answer 1

Have you considered sqlcmd.exe ? Or perhaps taking an installation for the PowerShell Snapins? There's a lot of functionality you could get that way.

Otherwise, it's easy to roll your own tiny app.

Answer 2

Check out Toad for Sql Server. It's large, but not quite as gnarly as SSMS. http://www.toadsoft.com/toadsqlserver/toad_sqlserver.htm

Answer 3

I keep a copy of the old isqlw.exe and the 2-3 DLLs that are needed for it. That is, the SQL 2000 Query Analyzer. It runs from an USB drive, no install needed.

Answer 4

There is also Aqua Studio

Answer 5

I wonder if you would be interested in SQL Workbench/J.

OR, SQLeonardo.

Answer 6

Mini SQL Query... http://minisqlquery.codeplex.com/

• It's a 646kb download (expands to just under 2mb)
• Connects to SQL Server (or many other ADO.NET provider enabled databases such as Access, SQLite or even Excel files etc)
• Requires .NET v2 as a minimum to run
• Supports basic SQL Syntax highlighting
• Can export data and create insert data scripts
• Can run off USB drive
• Has an 'Database Inspector'
• Has a 'quick table viewer'
• Contains simple statement generation
• Has an inbuilt code generator

The official tool blurb:

Mini SQL Query is a minimalist SQL query tool for multiple databases (MSSQL, MSSQL CE, SQLite, OLEDB, MS Access/Excel files etc). The tool uses a generic schema engine taking advantage of the ADO.NET providers. Mini SQL Query is also easily extended with plugins.

The whole reason it came about was the need to run queries on remote machines with little access, slow links, can run off a USB key etc etc ;-)

PK :-)

Answer 7

Try Query Express. Its free and small (100 KB executable).