Tell me more ×
Database Administrators Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for database professionals who wish to improve their database skills and learn from others in the community. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 4 down vote favorite
5

I was thinking what tools are recommended for SQL Server Developer & DBAs? The list can comprise of free & paid tools which could be helpful to any SQL Server Guy (Developer/DBA).

The tool list can range from data generators to backup tools. Tools that can help increase productivity to those who can help us writing queries effectively.

Apology if this is a duplicate. I did search before posting it.

Thanks!

share|improve this question
1  
WhoIsActive by Adam Machanic sqlblog.com/files/folders/beta/default.aspx – Paul White Jan 17 '12 at 14:20
1  
Shopping list questions that are openended (as this is) are not appropriate for this site. – jcolebrand♦ Jan 17 '12 at 17:00

closed as not constructive by jcolebrand♦ Jan 17 '12 at 17:00

As it currently stands, this question is not a good fit for our Q&A format. We expect answers to be supported by facts, references, or specific expertise, but this question will likely solicit debate, arguments, polling, or extended discussion. If you feel that this question can be improved and possibly reopened, see the FAQ for guidance.

7 Answers

up vote 3 down vote

In addition to "stock" SSMS and BIDS..

Free:

Paid for:

  • Red Gate Compare suite (there are alternatives)
  • Red Gate SQL Prompt
  • Red Gate Source Control
share|improve this answer
up vote 1 down vote

Here's a short-list of things that I use almost every day:

  • SQL Server Management Studio (should be obvious, but I did want to be clear)
  • Visio or Dia (for data modeling)
  • SQL Server Business Intelligence Dev Studio (for writing SSIS packages)
  • Excel (most business-side folks appreciate reports in Excel over plain text)
  • Redgate SQL Tools (quickly compare and sync schemas and tables)
  • Notepad++

I'm sure others will have more.

share|improve this answer
up vote 1 down vote
  • Various RedGate tools (sync, search, backup, ... really like them)
  • Quest Spotlight for Sql Server Enterprise (very expensive)
  • Sql Sentry
  • Galaxy backup
  • Native sql server tools (Studios)
share|improve this answer
up vote 1 down vote

Ola Hallengren's SQL Server Backup, Integrity Check, and Index and Statistics Maintenance tools.

share|improve this answer
Or SQL Fool's similar script. Good point: why re-invent the wheel? – gbn Jan 17 '12 at 15:03
up vote 0 down vote

Aside from the standard stuff delivered with MSFT SQL Server:

  • Sublime Text 2
  • MSFT Visio Professional (export E-R Diagram to SQL Script)
  • Dropbox
  • MSFT TFS or SourceSafe (works with BI projects too!)
  • Wing IDE for Python (personally I prefer scripting DB tasks in Python over PowerShell)
share|improve this answer
up vote 0 down vote

I rather like SQL Pretty Printer for SSMS.

http://www.dpriver.com/

It doesn't format things 100% identically to how I would, but it certainly makes the awful 3rd-party code I have to debug a hell of a lot more readable.

share|improve this answer
up vote 0 down vote

Aside the excellent tools pointed by others, one that deserves mentions is SQLDBX.

Their pivoting grid and other features makes it a permanent presence in my pendrives (yeah, it works really good portable) and work machines.

And those still using SSMS 2005 or Query Analiser will love the code completion (Intellisense in VS dialect) for not only MSSQL, but also DB2, Informix and a few others.

share|improve this answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.