StrataFrame Forum

TOAD for SQL Server Freeware

http://forum.strataframe.net/Topic24483.aspx

By Russell Scott Brown - 9/2/2009

Another very nice and useful FREE tool you might want to check out:

http://www.toadsoft.com/toadsqlserver/toad_sqlserver.htm

They have a recent version 4.5 update.

By Trent L. Taylor - 9/2/2009

Maybe I am missing something, but what does this have to offer over SQL Server Management Studio, Execution plans, etc.
By Russell Scott Brown - 9/2/2009

"Nice to have" compared to SSMSE for SQL Server 2008 Express.  This freeware version of TOAD is better than SSMSE.

There are a lot of little things but some of the ones I like are the use of tabs, export options (11), codes snippets in the editor, more options in the object explorer, maybe a little better printing.

By Alex Luyando - 9/3/2009

fwiw, I've used Toad (originally for work on an Oracle database many moons ago) and still use it daily against our SQL Server databases... Like Russell says, it's just a TON of these "little things" that end up being a HUGE improvement over SSMS... The boys at Quest really think hard about what makes sense and what will increase developer productivity. Toad rocks!



I sort of view it the same as using the Microsoft .Net framework components v. the StrataFrame framework components... After using SF's it really sucks going back to MS Wink



Advice: Install it, use it for a month... after that let us know what you think.
By Edhy Rijo - 9/3/2009

Hi Russell,



Thanks for sharing this info.



I was trying to use the "Query Builder" but it is not available "Not Licensed", I could not find in there site if this is a feature not available in the freeware, or if I need to get a freeware license for this to work, do you know anything about it?
By Russell Scott Brown - 9/3/2009

No, sorry.  The freeware version does not include the Object Builder and a lot of other things.  You can't get a license file without purchasing at least the professional version.

Everything that says "(Not Licensed)" is available on their website of course.  The professional version is $595.

http://www.quest.com/toad-for-sql-server/

By Russell Scott Brown - 9/3/2009

I forgot to mention that you can download a trial version of course....

Like I said in my earlier post, I only mentioned the freeware version because it is FREE and works better than SSMS for SQL Server 2008 Express.  Obviously I didn't make that clear at all.

TOAD has another package for SQL called Xpert and they also offer a suite which includes XPert and Professional.  For my needs Pro is overkill.

I'm definitely going to by the Professional version once my trial version expires.

By Edhy Rijo - 9/3/2009

Thanks Russell, I will check it out. The fee version looks pretty good I started using it today.