Squirrel SQL
For the last few weeks, I've been using Squirrel SQL as my query tool. Historically, I've always used the vendor-provided query tool for each database (which I'm still forced to do from the command line), so moving to a database-independent tool was a big step for me. I'm still adjusting, but I haven't yet had any thoughts of switching back to other tools, so Squirrel is probably here to stay.A quick list of things I like:
A quick list of things I don't like:
All in all, as I said, I like it. One good strong thumbs up. It isn't perfect, though given that it's open source, maybe some day I'll be able to make it perfect.
It's definitely worth a look if one needs such a tool though.
- Database independent - I haven't found a database I couldn't connect to yet (though I guess I haven't tried connecting to MonetDB)
- Syntax highlighting - defined only once, instead of per-tool
- Query formatting - I'm not crazy about how it formats queries, but anything is better than having to do so manually
- Database-specific plug-ins - for things like activity monitoring with Microsoft SQL Server
- Table copy - Move a table from one database to another using a simple (if slow) copy-n-paste paradigm
- MDI windowing system - All the connections I want without cluttering my task bar
A quick list of things I don't like:
- Connecting can sometimes be troublesome - I had some issues connecting to Oracle and MS SQL Server
- Stability - It isn't unusual for the app to get totally wonky and need to be killed
- Can't change window background color - makes the ability to configure text background colors pointless
- Keyboard shortcuts are largely missing
All in all, as I said, I like it. One good strong thumbs up. It isn't perfect, though given that it's open source, maybe some day I'll be able to make it perfect.
It's definitely worth a look if one needs such a tool though.
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