SQL Server
Top SQL Data Tools: Alternatives to SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT)
SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) is powerful but limited to SQL Server, lacks advanced performance features, and isn’t cross-platform. If you need better optimization, multi-database support, or automation, it's time to explore alternatives. This guide covers the top SQL data tools, from dbForge Studio to Azure Data Studio, helping you choose the best fit for your workflow.
How to Use SQL Server SUBSTRING Function
Learn how to use the SQL Server SUBSTRING function for extracting text. Check extensive examples with tables, dynamic extractions, and tips for effective SUBSTRING queries in SQL Server.
How to Use SQL Server CHARINDEX() Function
Discover SQL Server's CHARINDEX() function with clear examples. Learn to locate text patterns, apply case sensitivity and handle advanced use cases in SQL.
PATINDEX() Function in SQL Server
Working with large datasets often involves searching for patterns buried deep in your data. Whether you’re validating entries, cleaning records, or identifying errors, pinpointing...
7 Best Tools to Compare Two SQL Server Databases – Free and Paid
Explore the top 7 tools to compare two SQL Server databases with detailed reviews, key features, pros and cons, and pricing to help you choose the best one.
SQL Server GET DATE Function: Usage and Practical Applications
Learn how to use the SQL Server GETDATE function to retrieve the current date and time. Includes syntax, use cases, performance tips, and examples in dbForge Studio for SQL Server.
SQL DROP INDEX Statement With Syntax, Examples
Learn how to use the SQL DROP INDEX statement with clear syntax, practical examples, and step-by-step guidance for managing indexes in dbForge Studio for SQL Server.
Data Types in SQL Server: A Complete Guide to Choosing and Using Them
Learn about SQL Server data types, their categories, examples, and how to choose the right type for your data. Get tips on avoiding common mistakes and optimizing your database schema.
Comparing the Best Database Management Systems
Compare the top database management systems (DBMS) like MySQL, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Oracle, and more. Learn about their features, advantages, and the best use cases to choose the right database for your project.
How to Connect Java to Microsoft SQL Server
Learn how to connect to SQL Server in Java using JDBC. This guide covers authentication methods, driver setup, and best practices for database connectivity.
How to Migrate From SQL Server to Oracle
Database migration involves transferring data, schemas, and other database objects from one database system to another. How can you migrate data from SQL Server to Oracle, ensuring minimal disruption and maximum efficiency?
How to Create a Database in SQL Server
Microsoft SQL Server is known as a relational database management system (RDBMS). It's designed to store and manage substantial amounts of data efficiently. The system provides many features and tools required to develop and administer databases. That's why SQL Server is a popular solution among developers and enterprises for completing different tasks in the field of data.
Best 7 DBVisualizer Alternatives
Discover why dbForge Edge is the top DBVisualizer or DBeaver alternative for database management. Learn how dbForge Edge surpasses DBVisualizer and DBeaver in functionality and efficiency.
Difference Between Blocking and Deadlocks in SQL Server
Read on to learn about blocking and deadlocks in SQL Server, differences between them, reasons for their occurrence, and ways to detect and resolve them in databases.
How to Handle Null or Empty Values in SQL Server
This article explores the differences between NULLs and empty values in SQL Server and discusses how to handle them effectively.
Protecting Against Ad-Hoc Query Exploits
Read on about security aspects of ad-hoc queries, including the vulnerability of SQL injection and methods to protect database data and minimize the risks of unauthorized access.
When to Use CHAR, VARCHAR, and VARCHAR(MAX) in SQL
The choice of data type affects data integrity, storage, and performance, making it a critical decision. This article will focus on three commonly used data types: CHAR, VARCHAR, and VARCHAR(MAX).
How to Restore a SQL Server 2019 Backup on a SQL Server 2017 Instance
Read on the article to learn about alternative methods to transfer a SQL Server 2019 backup on a 2017 instance using SQL scripts and the dbForge tools.
SQL Server Backup Types and Key Concepts
The importance of regular database backup and recovery can be neither underestimated nor ignored. And since your data is subject to modification, the primary task is to ensure its safety and mitigate the risks of data loss.
SQL Server UPDATE Statement
In this article, you'll learn what SQL UPDATE is used for. Also, you'll explore different ways to update columns in a table with the help of the statement.
Using Alternatives to the LIMIT Clause in SQL Server
In database management, efficient limiting of query results is key for optimizing performance and retrieving relevant data. Let's explore how this can be achieved in SQL Server.
SQL Konferenz 2024 Insights Recap
Explore the top insights of SQL Konferenz 2024, an event that regularly connects database professionals, SQL enthusiasts, and data architects from the DACH region, that took place this October in Hanau, Germany, hosting numerous attendees. Learn about the most trending sessions and discussions held this year.
How to Use CREATE TABLE in SQL Server
Creating a table is the core of the database design and one of the fundamental skills for all database professionals. This article will review default methods of creating tables on Microsoft's SQL Server.
How to Migrate From SQL Server to MySQL
One of the standout features of dbForge Studio is its ability to import data from various sources, including ODBC data. This significantly expands your capabilities, both for direct conversion of data stored on different platforms and for the convenient development of database-related objects such as ETL procedures, reports, and more.
Awards and Endorsements Recap: Discover the Best dbForge Products of Q2 and Q3 2024
Throughout the second and third quarters of 2024, the Devart team achieved multiple awards for the dbForge product line, winning gold and silver for the DBTA Readers’ Choice Awards 2024 nominations, as well as getting badges from Crozdesk, Sourceforge, G2, and SoftwareSuggest listings. Let's check them out.
Find Invalid Objects in Your Databases
Read on to learn basics about invalid objects and how to identify them in SQL Server, MySQL, and Oracle databases using dbForge Edge or from the command line.
The Latest and Greatest dbForge SQL Complete 7.0 Is Now at Your Service!
dbForge SQL Complete is, without a doubt, one of our key add-ins for SSMS, designed to level up the speed and precision of your routine SQL coding, formatting, and debugging. And today, we're happy to herald the release of its latest incarnation—version 7.0. Traditionally, here's a detailed overview of all the new goodies awaiting you in it; so buckle up, since it's going to be a long ride—but by no means boring.
dbForge Tools for SQL Server 7.0: Big Release Overview
Are you a user of dbForge tools for SQL Server? If you are, then we've got a great slice of news for you—our entire product line for SQL Server has just been updated, and you're welcome to get your update right now. If you are not, you may still want to take a look at all the goodies that come with this release. Our tools come with a hefty free trial, and we gladly invite you to give them a go.
Fixing Dependent Column Issues With dbForge Data Generator
Read on to learn how to generate values for the referenced columns using dbForge Data Generator and how to resolve some issues that may arise during data generation.
Understanding SQL Server Triggers
Read on to learn more about SQL triggers and how to create and manage them. Learn more about best practices for using them.
Integrating dbForge Studio With Azure for Advanced Java Web UI Development
Developing web-based applications often requires a robust, scalable, and efficient database solution that can handle dynamic data needs. Azure SQL Server provides developers with a cloud-based platform that fulfills these requirements. By combining Azure SQL Server with modern web development technologies, developers can build powerful, data-driven web applications that offer distinctive user experiences.
Devart Has Become a Digital Sponsor of SQLBits 2024
Learn about the extensive community of SQL users coming together to join SQLBits 2024 and explore best practices, tools, and powerful networking.
Difference Between Views and Tables in SQL
In this article, we are going g to discover the fundamental differences between tables and views in SQL databases, their characteristics, use cases, and how they impact data management and security in your database projects.
Choosing the Best GUI Client for SQL Databases
Most SQL GUI tools share common features that can enhance one’s experience working with a database. We have listed some of the most important ones, as well as made a short comparison table where we analyze the most popular SQL GUI clients and highlight what they have under the hood.
SQL Update With JOIN Techniques for Efficient Data Management
In this article, we are going to talk about the UPDATE JOIN operation — a powerful tool in database management that allows you to perform precise and efficient data updates, ensure data integrity, and improve overall operational performance.
Mastering SQL PARTITION BY With dbForge Studio for SQL Server
By partitioning data effectively, you can handle large datasets and get accurate and relevant results for various analytical and operational tasks. This is when PARTITION BY proves invaluable. In this article, we are going to talk about the theoretical foundations and practical applications of this SQL argument with the help of a convenient IDE — dbForge Studio for SQL Server.
Ultimate Guide to SQL Indexes
An SQL index improves the speed of data retrieval operations on a table. Much like an index in a book, it helps locate needed information. This article delves into the various types of indexes, their benefits, potential drawbacks, and strategies to address index fragmentation issues, whether manually or automatically.
How to Migrate from Oracle to SQL Server
Read on to learn how to easily migrate data from an Oracle table to a SQL Server table using Devart ODBC driver for Oracle and dbForge Edge.
What is the Difference Between Distributed and Centralized Version Control Systems
Version control enables software development teams to collaborate effectively, reduce risks, and maintain stability. This article will discuss version control systems, including their types, the advantages and disadvantages of each, and the significant role they play in modern software delivery.
Devart dbForge Product Line and SecureBridge Join the 2024 DBTA Readers’ Choice Awards Contest
The Devart team works non-stop to provide you with the best-in-class products, and we look forward to seeing them win this year. Check the list of our solutions and make sure to support them!
Top 9 Database Documentation Tools of 2024 — Free and Paid Options Unwrapped
Our guide compares dbForge Edge, dbdocs.io, Dataedo, ApexSQL Doc & Redgate SQL Doc to help you choose the right one for your database documentation.
Managing Open Transactions in SQL Server
Open transactions in SQL Server occur frequently and demand close attention and proper handling to prevent issues. Monitoring open transactions and ensuring their timely completion (either committing or rolling back) is a best practice, and this article will explore tools and methods and provide a guide on automatically finding and resolving open transactions.
SSMS 20.x: What’s New
Although there is nothing groundbreaking about the latest SQL Server Management Studio 20.x, we'd still love to tell you more about the newly added enhancements that it offers.
Database Testing – Unveiling the Latest Best Practices and Innovations in 2025
Databases are invaluable for any application that relies on them. Thus, database testing is a critical aspect of ensuring optimal database performance. This article will delve into various types of database testing, methodologies, and practical applications.
Unlocking the Power of Execution Plans
One of the best methods to analyze query performance is to explore its execution plan. In this article, we are going to discuss the basics of the Query Execution Plan feature and its importance in SQL performance optimization with the help of a convenient IDE - dbForge Studio for SQL Server.
Enhancing PHP Projects With SQL Server
In the world of web development, PHP stands as one of the most popular scripting languages that empowers developers to create dynamic and interactive web applications with ease. Central to the functionality of many PHP projects is the management of data, which often necessitates the integration of powerful database solutions.
SSMS 20 + dbForge SQL Tools = Your Winning Combination!
Just in case you've missed it, Microsoft recently rolled out the latest version of SQL Server Management Studio (a.k.a. SSMS), 20.x, as a General Availability release. Traditionally, you can install and run it alongside the earlier versions of SSMS.
TOP 10 IDEs for SQL Database Management & Administration [2025]
IDEs are comprehensive software products equipped with specialized tools for software development. This article explores the most popular and powerful database-related IDEs, their functionality, advantages, pricing models, and other crucial factors.
Advanced Index Rebuild and Maintenance Strategies for SQL Server
In this article, let us dive into the intricacies of index maintenance strategies, explore index fragmentation and its impact on database efficiency, discuss rebuilding and reorganizing indexes, and talk about automating index maintenance.
Champs Recap: Devart’s Award-Winning Products in Q1 2024
Last season was quite fruitful in terms of awards scored by our products on independent review platforms. And today, we've got a lot more of those to share. Without further ado, let's get started!
