Database Management Tools
Whether you’re ordering an item online, booking an airline ticket, or liking a social media post, that activity will generate data that has to be stored in a database. As well as storing data, businesses need database management to run operations, optimize query performance, automate processes, and track inventory.
A database management system (DBMS) allows users to organize, store, retrieve, and optimize data via software with a management console. Key components of the system include operational data and metadata, documentation, database languages, a query processor, a runtime database manager, a database engine, and reporting. There are different types of DMBS tools, though they can be broken down into two main types:
1. Relational: Data appears as tables of rows and columns with a strict structure and clear dependencies. Since a Structured Query Language is the core of these systems, relational databases are also called SQL. They are useful for complex software solutions, but can face challenges when asked to scale.
2. Non-Relational: Non-structured data is collected in a single document instead of being organized into rows and columns, so this is considered a document-oriented system. Non-relational databases are also called NoSQL. They are a good option for startups or small organizations using Agile development.
Other types of DBMS include hierarchical databases and object-oriented databases.
What are Database Management Tools?
On the most basic level, database management tools provide a framework for organizations to store and process that data efficiently. They aim to control data throughout its entire lifecycle, providing a systematic and secure way to create, retrieve, update and manage data. Features of a database management tool might include application tuning, response time testing, and throughput testing.
When selecting a DBMS, these elements could impact your decision: data structure, licensing, scalability, cloud compatibility, data security, strength of documentation, learning curve, resource consumption, support for different data types, and reporting.
For an example, MySQL is a popular relational/SQL DBMS. It has a community edition that is free to use, with other commercial options with richer functionality. It is considered easy to use, with a simple syntax and gentle learning curve, and is available on leading cloud platforms like AWS. However, it was not built to scale and may not be suitable for large enterprises. See our tools section below for a more comprehensive comparison.
Benefits of Database Management Tools
From a high level perspective, database management tools help to manage application performance, increase compliance, and measure growth. They solve fundamental problems that have always plagued the storing, managing, accessing, and securing of user data while enabling fast and efficient collaboration between those same users.
Data integration, access, and auditing are all improved by implementing a DBMS. Due to DBMS qualities of abstraction and independence, organizations can upgrade storage and scale infrastructure without impacting day-to-day database operations. Having a single console to perform administrative tasks (instead of trying to collate spreadsheets and documents from various sources) makes it easier for database administrators to do their jobs.
Database Management Tools
DataGrip is a SQL editor and advanced database client tailored to meet the specific needs of professional database developers. It delivers a range of database tools neatly packed together and manages extensive support for different database engines like MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, MongoDB. DataGrip provides context-sensitive code completion, helping you to write SQL code faster.
dbForge Studio for SQL Server is a powerful IDE for Microsoft SQL Server management, administration, development, data reporting, analysis, and a lot more.
SQL developers and DBAs performing complex database tasks can use the GUI tool to speed up almost any database experience, such as designing databases, writing SQL code, comparing databases, synchronizing schemas and data, generating meaningful test data, and much more.
There is no need to waste time searching for or purchasing SSMS plug-ins across the Internet to get your work done – dbForge Studio for SQL Server has everything you need to set up your SQL development environment. Check out the advantages of this SSMS alternative and make sure you are just one step away from having the best user experience with this MS SQL database client.
DBmaestro is a DevOps for database solution provider. DBmaestro’s solutions enable organizations to run database deployments safely and methodically, increase development team productivity and expedite time-to-market. These solutions include release automation, version control, security and governance and business activity monitoring.
DbVisualizer is a database tool for developers, analysts, and database administrators with an accessible interface. It runs on all major OSes and connects to the most commercially viable database engines. It has the ability to manage many different RDBMSs from the same interface, as well as the ability to generate diagrams and models from existing databases.
Flyway by Boxfuse is an open source database migration tool. It prioritizes simplicity and is based around just 7 basic commands: Migrate, Clean, Info, Validate, Undo, Baseline and Repair. Migrations can be written in SQL or Java.
Liquibase by Datical is an open source, database-independent library for tracking, managing and applying database schema changes. It provides a schema changelog that allows you to roll changes back and forward from a specific point.
Microsoft SQL has the ability to have big data clusters at high consistency performance which makes it reliable for large-scale data pipelines. The Query creation process is also straightforward, and the software yields accurate and fast results. It integrates easily with your front end to capture data points, and the changes are reflected in the software instantly in real-time.
MongoDB is an open-source, non-relational (NoSQL) distributed database written in C++. It is document-based, which means that it stores data in rich JSON documents. The advantages of MongoDB, and of NoSQL in general are its dynamic schema, scalability, manageability, speed, and flexibility. It is a strong choice for businesses that are experiencing rapid growth, and is often applied for Node.js projects as well.
MySQL is an open-source relational database management system (RDBMS) owned by Oracle. MySQL is compatible with nearly all operating systems and supports various storage engines, but it can be slow and has trouble with large data volumes. It is the de-facto solution for enterprises worldwide.
Redgate Software makes tools for professionals working on the Microsoft data platform. It produces specialized database management tools for Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL and Microsoft Azure. It also makes advanced developer tools for .NET Framework, such as SmartAssembly and .NET Reflector.
Rumba is a schema migration tool that can create SQL for you as well as perform a migration from your plain-SQL scripts. It has no heavy dependencies like JVM, has full psql support, comes with build-in ETL, can do readable schema dumps for comparison, and copy history journal for monitoring.
Shipyard is a data management tool that provides you the possibility to work with a huge amount of data eliminating the errors caused by manual work. With this solution, you can analyze, monitor, and distribute the data rapidly from the first day of use.
With Shipyard's you can create a cross-functional automated workflow and have a real-time diagnosis of the issues. It also provides you with low-code templates and enables full project visibility.
Besides, as most of the data is sensitive information, Shipyard includes built-in security and does not store any of your data.
SQL Developer tools is an Oracle database management tool available on multiple platforms, which include Windows, Mac, and Linux. It’s best suited for a big cross-functional globally based team and has the capability to manage and develop Oracle Database in both on-premise and cloud deployments. SQL Developer can also connect and interact with non-Oracle databases like IBM db2, MS SQL Server, and MySQL.
Toad For Oracle is the most effective and easy-to-use DB Management tool in the market. The same tool can be used by DB Developers, Administrators, and Data Analysts to manage SQL databases. It auto-detects syntax errors in SQL queries and helps to reduce the time and effort required to develop and manage rational as well as non-rational DBs.
