Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio

Working with SQL databases like SQL and Azure varies based on the complexity of the tasks, the features you’re using frequently and your level of experience. While SQL databases do have their own interfaces for basic management tasks, sometimes you need a little more.

SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is a tool under Microsoft that can lend a hand with more complex tasks and acts like a control center for managing SQL databases. Despite the name, the app works with both SQL and Azure databases.

Within the old-school GUI, you can access a plethora of features to manage the database of choice, starting with accessing databases, configuring settings, and administering system-wide configurations. You can also create and modify objects such as tables, views, functions, stored procedures as well as retrieve and manipulate data.

The app packs a query editor, so you can execute searches and examine the results in real-time, and other tools for monitoring performance. You can essentially manage everything in a database, from configuring user permissions to identifying performance bottlenecks and more.

In my opinion, one of the things that makes a database management tool great is how fast you can read and interpret the data. I’m speaking about its graphic features that enable you to view chunks of data and get a general idea before proceeding to dissect the data.

Since you can visualize the components, you can define relationships, filter criteria and integrate more or less functions easier. Manipulating these components is also done effortlessly with drag and drop.

Automation is standard with most database managers lately, and SSMS is no exception here. In fact, the app packs scripting editors where you can write and edit queries and scripts, editors that support code completion, error checking and syntax highlighting.

Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio is a versatile tool that supports a variety of databases and services within the Microsoft ecosystem. It can be described as a Swiss army knife for administrators and developers, packing numerous features to simplify database management.