Switching from SQLPro Studio to Valentina Studio

I am in no way an SQL guru. My Select statements are cringeworthy to those who know what they're doing. To that end, I went searching for a tool to help diagram a database so I could better understand the data. What I walked away with, and what has become my SQL editor of choice, is Valentina Studio.

Turns out diagramming is one small part of what Valentina Studio can do. It's a full featured SQL IDE loaded with features that can all be used for free.

It connects to MS SQL, Postgres and MySql. It has a wonderful UI presentation that makes it easy to see the results of your query. It features tabs, syntax formatting, easy navigation and a host of information about the query and the database itself.

Previously, I had been using SQLPro Studio, which was a decent IDE I purchased from Bundlehunt. It worked, it got the job done, and I have no regrets. However, taking into account it's actual purchase price of $99, it's incredibly overpriced for what you get. Compared to Valentina Studio, it's feature set is rudimentary and anemic.

From what I can see, all the features and functionality of SQLPro Studio at a cost of $99 per year, are available for FREE in Valentina Studio. What the what?!

I've been using Valentina Studio for a month of so now, and the features are very nice. Yes, some of the more advanced features require the full version, but I'm fine with that. Those are higher level tools and functions I won't be using. I don't need to backup, or maintain a DB. I won't benefit from a lot of the analysis tools. The DIFF and Builder tools are beyond my means. Those are for real database administrators and architects.

But as an IDE, to write the type of queries I need, and to present results in a meaningful manner, this tool is amazing.

The database diagramming is free.
Connecting to MS SQL, Postgres or MySQL, whether local or cloud, is free.
Running a standard query with syntax formatting, is free.
Basic query analysis and tuning information about that query is free.

Valentina Studio has turned out to be an incredible find. I'm not even using a fraction of what it has to offer, but it's a huge benefit. It's now part of the standard set up for my machine at work and at home.

If you are looking for an SQL IDE that connects to multiple data sources, has an easy to understand UI, provides easy DB navigation, syntax formatting, and tabbed results, Valentina Studio is definitely a tool to look into.

Valentina Studio Overview

This space for rent.

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