Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!
Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio vs SqlPad: What are the differences?
Introduction
Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) and SQLPad are both tools used for managing and working with SQL databases. While they have some similarities, there are also key differences between the two.
Installation and Platform Support: SSMS is specifically designed for Microsoft SQL Server and is only available for Windows. On the other hand, SQLPad is a cross-platform tool that can be installed on Windows, macOS, and Linux. This makes SQLPad a more versatile choice for users who work on different operating systems.
User Interface and Features: SSMS has a more comprehensive and feature-rich user interface compared to SQLPad. It provides a wide range of visual tools and options for database administration, query building, and performance tuning. SQLPad, on the other hand, has a simpler interface with fewer built-in features. It focuses more on the core functionalities of writing and executing SQL queries.
Collaboration and Sharing: SSMS has better integration with other Microsoft tools and services, making it easier to collaborate and share SQL scripts or database objects with colleagues. It provides seamless integration with Azure, GitHub, and Visual Studio. SQLPad, on the other hand, offers limited collaboration features. It allows users to share query links and results with others but lacks the extensive integration options of SSMS.
Open Source vs Proprietary Software: SSMS is a proprietary software owned by Microsoft, while SQLPad is an open-source project. This means that SQLPad is developed and maintained by a community of contributors and is available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute. SSMS, on the other hand, is a licensed product owned by Microsoft, and its source code is not publicly available.
Query Execution and Performance: SSMS provides advanced query execution plans, performance monitoring tools, and real-time statistics for optimizing SQL queries and identifying performance bottlenecks. SQLPad, although capable of executing queries, lacks the in-depth performance monitoring and optimization features of SSMS.
Script Management and Automation: SSMS offers scripting capabilities, allowing users to generate SQL scripts for objects, data, or schema changes. It also provides automation options like SQL Agent for scheduling and running automated scripts. SQLPad, on the other hand, focuses more on the query execution aspect and lacks these scripting and automation capabilities.
In summary, Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio is a comprehensive and feature-rich tool primarily designed for managing SQL Server databases on Windows. SQLPad, on the other hand, is a cross-platform, open-source tool that is more focused on the core functionalities of writing and executing SQL queries. It offers simplicity and versatility, making it an attractive choice for users working on multiple operating systems.
I am looking to build an azure database that connects to my power bi application. Initially, I attempted to create an Azure SQL database, then realized I needed to have SQL Server Management Service in order to manage and connect between Azure SQL <=> Power BI, but since I am on a Mac, I had to use the complex installation as a workaround.
If MySQL Workbench can solve this (as the product is available on Mac), I am more than happy to proceed with this approach if it can achieve the same goal of connecting an azure database with my Power BI application
What I am trying to achieve is fairly simple: have an online cloud database that connects to my Power BI application
I am open to any other solutions as well
Thank you
As others have noted, MySQL Workbench cannot be used instead of Microsoft SQL Manager to manage Azure SQL (MS-SQL Server, I hate that Microsoft uses generic category names for their products).
If you're considering switching to MySQL (Possibly using Azure MySQL managed database), then please not that unlike MS-SQL Server, you do not need the MySQL Workbench to connect your application to MysQL: just use the correct driver for your stack, and you're all set (if your stack is using the .Net platform, use MySQL Connector/NET from: https://dev.mysql.com/downloads/connector/net/ ).
If you do want to use a graphical interface to maintain your MySQL database, then MySQL Workbench is a great choice, but you are not limited to it - as others have mentioned, there is a plethora of competing graphical database management tools that would work just as well with MySQL - one of the advantages of choosing MySQL for your stack is the huge eco-system that is built around it.
Hello Could you give us a better idea of what Data Base Management System (DBMS) you are using at Azure? MySQL Workbench and Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) are tools developed to exclusively manage MySQL and SQL Server, respectively. If you need to manage multiple DBMS's from a single tool, I sugget you try DBeaver. There are also another alternatives: HeidiSQL, phpMyAdmin, etc. Regarding the DBMS itself, I suggest you stick with SQL Server. In my opinion it's more stable and has more features than MySQL - especially in the Standard and Enterprise editions. Regards, Lawrence
As far as I know, MySQL Workbench doesn't handle Microsoft connections, including Azure, you should try Microsoft solutions such as MS VS Code.
Hi Aashwiin, Looking at your stack (https://stackshare.io/aashwiin82347/my-stack), it seems you are using Azure SQL Databases. I'll infer this is Microsoft SQL Server. Therefore, it certainly makes sense you stick with some of the official Microsoft Tooling to connect to it, query and administer it. You'd only be looking at MySQL Query Workbench, if you were running and connecting to a MySQL Database. - That said, could Azure MySQL (https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/mysql/overview) be an option for you a this point? MySQL offers great performance. I have been running it at various companies (under AWS/RDS and AWS/Aurora) and have no reason to switch over to anything else. - Decision making-wise, how much do your want your local sql/mysql client to influence/weigh in your architecture/technology decisions, though? This can be a slippery slope. - Alternatively, other clients exist, such as "Table Plus" and allow you to connect, on Mac, to a variety of database servers, including SQL Server. It might be worth giving it a try.
Microsoft provides an application known as Azure Data Studio that runs on Windows, Mac and Linux machines. It provides the ability to manage an Azure SQL database, as well as connecting to standard SQL Server databases. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/azure-data-studio/what-is?view=sql-server-ver15
