X-MySQL Workbench

As its name implies, X-MySQL Workbench is a comprehensive and unified utility especially designed for database architects, developers and DBAs who need to connect to MySQL databases and create EER models, edit table data or execute SQL scripts.

It provides data modeling, comprehensive administration tools and SQL development into an intuitive interface so even less experienced users can work with this application. However, basic MySQL knowledge is required.

When you open X-MySQL Workbench for the first time, you can view that the application is divided into three main sections namely SQL Development, Data Modeling and Server Administration.

We found them very useful considering that the application is designed not only to connect to MySQL databases and run various SQL scripts, but also create new EER models from scratch (also known as Enhanced entity-relationship models).

In case you want to work with databases, you can access the ‘New Connection’ link from the first section. After that, you are required to choose the connection method, specify the hostname and the username, then connect to databases. A new entry will be added automatically in the left panel from where you can start creating, executing and optimizing SQL queries.

What’s more, X-MySQL Workbench provides extensive options and features for creating and manipulating database models, so you can easily create new EER models from an existing database or from SQL scripts.

For instance, if you select the second option from the Data Modeling section you are required to set the parameters for connecting to an existing DBMS. After that, you can choose the databases you want to be processed alongside their tables and generate EER models effortlessly.

Since the application also provides functionality to administer and configure server instances, you can navigate to the third panel and choose the first option, entitled ‘New Server Instance’. A useful wizard will then appear that will guide you throughout the entire process of creating a new server profile.

In case your database server is running on the same machine as the application, you can choose localhost, otherwise you need to specify the TCP/IP address or the network name of the remote machine.

Considering that it is a portable utility, you can carry it with you wherever you go on a removable drive and use it on any computer. Hence, it does not create registry entries and you can remove it simply by deleting its containing folder.

To wrap it up, X-MySQL Workbench proves to be a steady solution when it comes to managing multiple MySQL environments, configuring servers, creating complex EER models and executing SQL scripts.