Chapter 3. SQL Server Tools

It's said that a craftsman's work is only as good as his tools. To some degree, this principle applies to SQL Server. However, many database professionals from the old school choose not to use sophisticated tools, just as many craftsmen use old manual tools (chisels, carving knives, and so on) to do the work that is often simplified through automation. Many would even argue that the results are different, perhaps even better, when you remove automation from the equation. Regardless of the ideals to which you subscribe, a number of tools and applications are available that you can use to create and debug queries. Which tools do you need? This depends a great deal on what you need to do.