Atlernative to SQL Server Management Studio (i.e. garbage) . Any suggestions?

Folks I have recently had the misfortune of moving to SQL Server Managment Studio as per our upgrade to SQL 2005. There is no doubt that SQL Server Management is a major disappoinment compared to Enterprise manager.

The UI is the biggest disaster I have ever seen. Getting rid of the SQL Query analyzer tool was aTERRIBLE idea. The UI is buggy and unfriendly. It is a major POS. I hope someone in the SQL Dev team is listening / reading this post (hellooooo anybody homeee.....)

Now that I have vented my frustration ...

I wanted to know any atlernatives to the SQL Server Management Studio. There are plenty of 3rd Party tools out there I wanted to find out from this forum which popular 3rd Party tools are most developers using

Thanks for bearing with me.

If all you're after is query analyzer type functionality the free SQL Scripter fromhttp://www.sqlscripter.com/ is worth a look.

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There's a bunch of them. Some of them free, some paid. Do a google search and you will find them - SQL Edit, Toad etc.

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A colleague found this reference on line yesterday. None of us have tried it out, but it looks reasonable.

http://www.albahari.com/queryexpress.html

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That's quite odd actually, I use it every day, and have yet to really stumble across a major issue with it. It's nice having one single app to be able to do all the functionality of the old enterprise manager (Yuck!), query analyzer, and (insert some database project tool that wasn't shipped with 2000). It is however pretty memory hungry, so I feel sorry for those trying to develop on really low end machines.

Really, the only complaint I have with it, is that I wish it's "script to..." functionality for insert/update/delete would default to placing parameters in the placeholders, or even better generate a VB.NET/C# SqlCommand for it (including creating the parameters, with datatypes). Obviously a minor complaint considering that it isn't part of the VB.NET/C# programming tools.

Or perhaps you've overlooked that you can right click any database, choose "New query", and it opens a new tab that acts very similiar to the old query analyzer?

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Motley:

That's quite odd actually, I use it every day, and have yet to really stumble across a major issue with it. It's nice having one single app to be able to do all the functionality of the old enterprise manager (Yuck!), query analyzer, and (insert some database project tool that wasn't shipped with 2000). It is however pretty memory hungry, so I feel sorry for those trying to develop on really low end machines.

Really, the only complaint I have with it, is that I wish it's "script to..." functionality for insert/update/delete would default to placing parameters in the placeholders, or even better generate a VB.NET/C# SqlCommand for it (including creating the parameters, with datatypes). Obviously a minor complaint considering that it isn't part of the VB.NET/C# programming tools.

Or perhaps you've overlooked that you can right click any database, choose "New query", and it opens a new tab that acts very similiar to the old query analyzer?

Well after using enterprise manager for a very long time I liked the fact that Query Analyzer open by itself. I realize now that it simply is intergated into the application via tabbed windows. Some how I just do not like that structure of UI design. But that this the least of my issues. In addition to the issue you mentioned there are several other issues.

When I try to open 2 or more db connection in my object explorer items not appear in my summary window. For example if i click on stored procs under programmability it shows me there are x number of items on the top right by the main screen is blank.

Frequently I get invalid errors when trying to browse items in the object explorer (error says invalid index)

When I ask it to remember my password for object explorer or for a new query it does not remember the password the next time

Additionally the UI is poorly designed and does not flow very well from a usability standpoint. (I wish the SQL team would pay more attention to this and not take UI so lightly. UI it is an after thought for developers BUT it is the first impression you make on the user, and that IMO is crucial)

I thought that I was the only person on my team not liking SQL Mgmt studio but 4/5 develpers including our DBA are not at all happy with the product...

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Well it seems to me that you are using portions of the studio, that I don't think I've ever used. I don't think I've had the Object Explorer Details window open for more than 2 seconds ever.

As for the UI design, it's probably a matter of taste. The paned view (Objects on left, middle as a work area, right is properties, etc) is used by a number of differing products (Visual Studio, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, etc etc). I'd hardly call it a poorly designed UI, but it's a matter of opinion and what you are trying to accomplish with the tool.

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Motley:

Well it seems to me that you are using portions of the studio, that I don't think I've ever used. I don't think I've had the Object Explorer Details window open for more than 2 seconds ever.

As for the UI design, it's probably a matter of taste. The paned view (Objects on left, middle as a work area, right is properties, etc) is used by a number of differing products (Visual Studio, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, etc etc). I'd hardly call it a poorly designed UI, but it's a matter of opinion and what you are trying to accomplish with the tool.

Most of my problems are with SQL Mgmt Studio UI whose is very different from the Visual Studio's UI (I find VS2005 to be quite good actually). I did intially think it was a matter of personal taste but what can I can when 4/5 folks on my team have the same complains.

Believe you me I did not give up on this after a day of working with it. I have been using it for the last 2 months.

assign the Null value to a variable that is not a Variant data type.

Hello Everyone,

I trying to upgrade our Alpha 4v4 Dos Database to MS SQL 2000 with Access XP front end and I have four tables that won't let import my data into them. I keep recieveing a message that says "You tried to assign the Null value to a variable that is not a Variant data type. (Error 3162)"
What can I do to get rid of this stupid error, is it a problem with Access XP or SQL 2000.Sounds like an Access problem to me. Can you bypass Access and load the data directly into the server?|||Originally posted by Paul Young
Sounds like an Access problem to me. Can you bypass Access and load the data directly into the server?

I tried that and I get a MS Jet Database Engine Error when I tried the import function, I know that in Access you can append data in, can you do that in SQL. What I mean is could I just link my Alpha tables into the SQL Database and then try to Append/Insert into my SQL tables. SQL is all new to me and I'm still in the process of learning it and it is alot different then Alphav4 and Access 97 functionality that I'm used to.|||Originally posted by Paul Young
Sounds like an Access problem to me. Can you bypass Access and load the data directly into the server?

Paul,

I can't import, append or insert. But I can copy and paste my old records into the new tables with a few error messages and only 65000 at a time. I guess that something is better than nothing. If anyone has a better way, I'm always open to try something new.|||Yes, you can append data in SQL.

There would be many ways to do this. The very first one that comes to mind would be to use DTS if you are using SQL 7/2k. DTS can connect to a variety of data sources and allows you to transform the data on the fly.

Microsoft's Books Online has some good information on this.|||Originally posted by Paul Young
Yes, you can append data in SQL.

There would be many ways to do this. The very first one that comes to mind would be to use DTS if you are using SQL 7/2k. DTS can connect to a variety of data sources and allows you to transform the data on the fly.

Microsoft's Books Online has some good information on this.
I've been using the DTS function and that is what I first tried to do my import with or even append and I still get an error message. If I import the whole table it will only bring in the structure, no data i get an error on that. THen if I try to append the data I get a different error. I'll look online and see if I can findout what I'm doing wrong. Or I'll just cut and paste since that seems to work.|||What were your errors?

DTS can be used to import a structure and/or data. Often I have found it easyier to created a db, and then use DTS to suck strucutre and all. Once the data is in I can make modifications and move the data to it's ultimate home.|||Originally posted by Paul Young
What were your errors?

DTS can be used to import a structure and/or data. Often I have found it easyier to created a db, and then use DTS to suck strucutre and all. Once the data is in I can make modifications and move the data to it's ultimate home.

If I import my data from Alpha into Access 97 and then into SQL I get an Insert error on 4 of my tables for certain Date fields that says Data Over flow invaild character value for cast specification. If I try to go directly into Alpha 4v4 which are Dbase 5 tables it just won't do it. I get a ms jet vb error and it will import nothing at all. Atleast in access it will import 32 of 36 tables.|||It seems odd that you get a jet error. Are you using the dBase 5 driver or the ODBC driver?|||Originally posted by Paul Young
It seems odd that you get a jet error. Are you using the dBase 5 driver or the ODBC driver?

Ok I changed my data source to dbase III and I was able to import my data directly form Alpha 4v4, plus I'm starting to usnderstand this DTS function. I was wondering if I can use it to just append the tables, not create them everytime. I noticed that everytime I use the wizard it wants to create the table then import the data. I want it to just Append the data now that I have the tables in SQL so that I can refreash the old data with the new until I'm ready to run everything in SQL. Can i physically change the SQL startments for that DTS function and is that possible.|||You should be able to just append data, I don't have dBase 5 to test with but when I load a CSV file into an existing table I can select Transformations and choose Append rows to destination table. That should do it for you.|||Originally posted by Paul Young
You should be able to just append data, I don't have dBase 5 to test with but when I load a CSV file into an existing table I can select Transformations and choose Append rows to destination table. That should do it for you.

Ok I can't find what your talking about "Select transformations and choose append rows?", could you do me a favor and type out the steps that you use to see if I'm going in the right direction. Appending my Bbase file and your CSV file shouldn't be that different as far as the steps go. Thank you for your help.|||ADP is the answer to all your problems.

It only deals with SQL Server-- so its much simpler than what you're talkin about..

in access 2002, you can even create a linked server-- just like how you can link to a different db in a mdb..

of course, i think that you'll need to put drivers on the SQL Server-- but thats not that big of a deal..|||Originally posted by aaron_kempf
ADP is the answer to all your problems.

It only deals with SQL Server-- so its much simpler than what you're talkin about..

in access 2002, you can even create a linked server-- just like how you can link to a different db in a mdb..

of course, i think that you'll need to put drivers on the SQL Server-- but thats not that big of a deal..

ADP, could you tell me more about it, I typed it into the help file and nothing came up.|||1. Fire up DTS
2. Fill in the data source
3. fill in the data destination click "NEXT >"
4. On the "Select Source Tables and Views" panel click on the elips "..." under Transformations.
5. Click on the "Append rows to destination table" radio button and then click on "OK"
6. Back on the "Select Source Tables and Views" panel click on "Next >"
7. On the "Save, schecule , and replicate package" panel click on "Next >".
8. You should be able to take it from here.|||Originally posted by Paul Young
1. Fire up DTS
2. Fill in the data source
3. fill in the data destination click "NEXT >"
4. On the "Select Source Tables and Views" panel click on the elips "..." under Transformations.
5. Click on the "Append rows to destination table" radio button and then click on "OK"
6. Back on the "Select Source Tables and Views" panel click on "Next >"
7. On the "Save, schecule , and replicate package" panel click on "Next >".
8. You should be able to take it from here.

Step four was the one that I wasn't finidng, thank you so much Paul, I did get it to work and now I just need to adjust it so that I won't get any errors when I try to append a date field. Thanks

Assembly Clash between June and July CTP in VS.NET/SQL Express

Hi! How do I upgrade the assemblies in a databases between the Framework that came in VS.NET June CTP and VS.NET July CTP. I've created a fairly extensive database in the former which I'd like to use in the later. All of the non-CLR stuff seems to be accessible just fine. Unfortunately I no longer have the June CTP installed and the assemblies are running into versioning problems. I'd be happy to delete the offending assemblies if only I knew how. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks...

BTW, I tried to install XM and do an export but it also doesn't run with the July CTP. Aaaaaarrrrrgggghhhh....me too!
When I depoly a Sql Server Project in vs2005, It not work:
Common Language Runtime(CLR) v2.0.50215 not installed properly. The CLR is required to use SQL/CLR features.

|||Could you please explain what versioning problems you are facing? A series of steps you took and the related error messages would be helpful.

Thanks,
-Vineet.|||This means your .NET Framework installation didnt occur successfully. Try uninstalling and reinstalling just CLR.

Thanks,
-Vineet|||

My sql express was installed with the installation of vs2005 beta 2 ( .NetFramework build 50712), I don't know why it requires the build 50215.
Can I switch sql express to 50712 ?

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I have a simmiliar problem with sql.

The june CTP of SQL Server wont install with july CTP of VS2005 TS. I found out that they are using different versions of .NET 2.0.

Now what i had a laugh with was the fact that sql express that ships with VS2005 TS july CTP is from SQL June CTP. The visual studio installer automatically installs it just fine, but if you try to install it manually you get an error for an incompatible version of .net framework and vs :S

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Yes, the last compatible version of SQL Server and VS for CLR Integration features was June CTP. The next compatible version would be september CTP.
You can use all other features of SQL Express besides CLR integration in VS CTPs in between.

Thanks,
-Vineet.

|||Thanks for your reply! I was hoping it would be sooner but what can you do....

ASPNETDB.MDF - need to use SQL Server 2000

Hi,

I'm building an intranet app for a client using ASP.NET 2. The client is running SQL Server 2000 - and does not have plans to upgrade to 2005 anytime soon.

Is there a script that I can use to create the objects in the ASPNETDB database so that I can do this in SQL Server 2000?

Also, what additional changes would I have to make in order for the application to point to a SQL Server 2000 database with these objects?

Thanks in advance, Al

MDF(Microsoft data file) is only one half of a SQL Server database, the other half is the LDF(Log data file). That said the Personnal and Club starter kits comes with the membership database and Microsoft created a SQL Server 2000 version of both so I think you can install both take the membership related tables, triggers and stored procs. You know it is all manual so you just right click on the object in Object browser in Query Analyzer and click on create to generate the scripts. Hope this helps.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=0DD83A11-6980-4951-A192-DA6EACC6A19E&displaylang=en

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=2EE85ED4-7613-47E2-8375-17222B150E4F&displaylang=en

|||Hi luckydog,

as alternative in clean way, you can run aspnet_regsql in command prompt and choose any database instance that you want to have membership tables inside it.

Run it in .Net Framework SDK Command Prompt