SQL Server - Write T-SQL as a Ninja Using Redgate SQL Prompt

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Hello people!!
How are you? Ready to reach a new level when it comes to writing queries quickly and with quality?

In this post I would like to comment and give my opinions about a tool that has been in the market for a long time and that perhaps many of you already know or have heard about, but never used it on a daily basis. This tool is Redgate's SQL Prompt.

The purpose of this highly regarded tool is a promise of more standardized code, ease and absurd productivity in writing T-SQL queries and agility in query analysis. Is this tool right?

Below, I will tell you about my experience using SQL Prompt what has changed in my life. This report is not from a guy who has been using the tool for a week to test, but from a guy who has been using SQL Prompt daily, at least 8h per day, for over 4 years (since the 5 version).

PS: I'm not getting anything in return for this post, believe me .. lol .. I just want to spread the SQL Prompt to those who don't know it yet

Write less, think more

With several features that reduce the amount of code you need to write (because it does it for you), you'll spend less time writing queries and more time thinking about how to add value to the business.

Among the features that allow you to gain productivity absurdly and become a ninja in query writing, I can mention:

• Editable snippets, which allow you to use keyboard shortcuts to abbreviate commands.
• Hover over an object and SQL Prompt shows you the definitions and source code (even if encrypted)
• Press F12 on a programming object (Stored Procedure, Function, etc.) and SQL Prompt will direct you to that object's change screen.
• “Open in Excel” on the Grid. No more copying and pasting in Excel, changing value formatting, etc.
• “Script as INSERT” on the Grid. Who has never needed to generate an INSERT based on a resultset?
• Suggestions for possible column candidates in JOINs (Based on FKs, data types, and column names)
• Parameter suggestions when executing SP's
• Tab History: Have you ever imagined a repository for retrieving and fetching strings from ALL queries you've opened in Management Studio since installing SQ Prompt? Did you accidentally close a tab? Did your SSMS restart alone or did your PC hang up in the middle of that unsaved 1.000 query line? Your problems are over!
• SELECT * (Tab) returns the name of all columns of the tables involved in SELECT

Some examples of Productivity:

DBA's also make mistakes. But SQL Prompt, not

Although DBA is a professional with a high degree of attention, technical knowledge, and focus, unfortunately they also make mistakes, and a mistake by a professional of such importance and criticality to a business can be fatal. Thinking about avoiding errors for lack of attention, SQL Prompt identifies and alerts you to possible errors that the DBA may make in everyday tasks.

Among the features that SQL Prompt offers for this purpose, I would like to highlight:

• Alerts when you try to perform a TRUNCATE TABLE command on a physical table
• Alerts when you try to perform an UPDATE or DELETE command without using WHERE on a physical table.
• Lets you set the environment for each instance and specifies a color for those environments. Trust me, you will get a lot more attention when you are running a command and your SSMS tab and status bar are red (production). Oh, and you won't run thinking it's the development environment either. . LOL

Some Security Examples:

Code Standardization: Your Team Speaking the Same Language

Programmers, whether it be T-SQL, PL / SQL, PHP, C #, etc., know very well how different identification, formatting and coding style within a team can hinder in developing a project when it is done by more. of a person.

With that in mind, Redgate has completely revamped its code formatting tools in the 8 version, giving it much more freedom and allowing for many new customizations. This allows your team to define a formatting pattern and everyone can use it (yes, SQL Prompt allows you to easily export / import these definitions between the team).

Got to maintain that legacy code, all without default, formatting and indentation? With just 1 click SQL Prompt will format all this code according to the pattern your team is following. Be honest, in an 10.000 line SP, how long would it take you to reformat and identify everything? LOL

The time each T-SQL developer on your team formats their procedures, functions, and routines in a different way is over. Welcome to code standardization.

Some examples of code standardization:

Get the most out of Management Studio

Once you install SQL Prompt, several other features are incorporated into your SQL Server Management Studio, such as SQL Search, Tab History, and other tools that make DBA and / or developer much easier.

I separated in the video below, some features that help me a lot in everyday life and contribute to maintain performance far above other professionals who do not use SQL Prompt.

Some examples of new SQL Prompt tools:

Document database objects

One feature that is extremely useful and important for business continuity and knowledge sharing within the database area is documentation. With that in mind, Redgate has innovated by allowing object tooltips to read extended property information from databases, tables, and columns, allowing DBA / Developer to access documentation for those objects without having to open documentation. PRODUCTIVITY.

Here's how it works:

Are you a manager, coordinator or some other management position and still wondering if it is really worth investing in SQL Prompt? If the answer is yes, you should not have watched the videos or ever wrote a query in your life. The productivity gain is absurd for professionals using this tool and the investment in license acquisition ends up being reversed in productivity in a few days. .

In a few weeks, your team will be developing standardized code, more secure when scripting in a variety of environments, and with much faster code creation and quality than you currently had.

I'll repeat: Who is writing this did not win NO From Redgate, I'm just a daily user of the tool, already using it for 4 years, and very pleased with the result. I work on a team with 23 analysts, where EVERYONE uses SQL Prompt and that even showed us a tool problem: Once you start using it, you can't go without it and go back to SSMS Intellisense. Low productivity and dissatisfaction are visible when a new feature enters the company (it has an entire internal process to acquire new licenses and takes a while) or when someone formats the machine and needs to wait for SQL Prompt to be installed.

That's it folks!
I hope you enjoyed this post. The idea is not to advertise SQL Prompt, but to publicize and share even more how much your team can gain productivity with a low investment.