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Second SQL Operations Studio Update Ships

Microsoft has shipped the second update to SQL Operations Studio since the data management tool was unveiled in a public preview two months ago.

The lightweight, cross-platform offering combines functionality found in tools like SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) and the Visual Studio Code editor in order to help data developers and operations pros work with SQL Server, Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Data Warehouse on Windows, Mac or Linux machines.

As our sister site RedmondMag.com reported from the PASS Summit where the tool was announced: "Joseph D 'Antonio, a principal consultant with Denny Cherry and Associates and a SQL Server MVP, has been testing SQL Operations Studio for more than six months. 'It's missing some functionality but it's a very solid tool,' said D 'Antonio, who also is a Redmond contributor. 'For the most part, this is VS code, with a nice database layer.'"

Microsoft SQL Operations Studio
[Click on image for larger view.] Microsoft SQL Operations Studio (source: Microsoft).

According to its GitHub site, Microsoft SQL Operations Studio (MSOS) provides features including:

  • Cross-platform database management for Windows, macOS and Linux with simple XCopy deployment
  • SQL Server Connection Management with Connection Dialog, Server Groups, Azure Integration and Registered Servers
  • Object Explorer supporting schema browsing and contextual command execution
  • T-SQL Query Editor with advanced coding features such as autosuggestions, error diagnostics, tooltips, formatting and peek definition
  • Query Results Viewer with advanced data grid supporting large result sets, export to JSON\CSV\Excel, query plan and charting
  • Management Dashboard supporting customizable widgets with drill-through actionable insights
  • Visual Data Editor that enables direct row insertion, update and deletion into tables
  • Backup and Restore dialogs that enables advanced customization and remote filesystem browsing, configured tasks can be executed or scripted
  • Task History window to view current task execution status, completion results with error messages and task T-SQL scripting
  • Scripting support to generate CREATE, SELECT, ALTER and DROP statements for database objects
  • Workspaces with full Git integration and Find In Files support to managing T-SQL script libraries
  • Modern light-weight shell with theming, user settings, full screen support, integrated terminal and numerous other features

New features and updates coming with the new January update, meanwhile, include:

  • Enable the HotExit feature to automatically reopen unsaved files.
  • Add the ability to access saved connections from Connection Dialog.
  • Set the SQL editor tab color to match the Server Group color.
  • Fix the broken Run Current Query command.
  • Fix the broken pinned Windows Start Menu icon.

"A highly requested feature for SQL Operations Studio is to remember unsaved changes when the program is exited, similar to VSCode and other editors," the SQL Server team said in a blog post about that first new feature listed above. "We are excited to announce that HotExit has been enabled," the post said, referencing an animated GIF that shows how a user can quit MSOS and simply reload it again to retain the unsaved query.

More about that feature and other information is available in the release notes.

About the Author

David Ramel is an editor and writer at Converge 360.

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