So I’ve had Redgate’s for about a year now, but up until recently I hadn’t used most of the tools available to me. But with the current push we’re making with trying to straighten out our processes I’ve been playing with everything to get a feel for how they work and if I want to actually use them.

Redgate’s SQL Toolbelt enables static data, lookup data, and configuration data to be source controlled and compared. (Lookup data in particular can often change, so it's essential to have it tied into your database development process.) In addition to these key differentiators, Redgate's approach includes the option.

So far I’ve been fairly impressed with every piece of software provided by Redgate. Here’s my quick review of the SQL Toolbelt SQL Compare This is the tool that I primarily had my eyes on when I first started asking for the SQL Toolbelt, and I’ve loved it ever since. Before we got SQL Compare I was manually creating scripts to copy data down from prod/test, creating backups, then copying and restarting from the backups to push changes to test/prod.

Now I just back up the database, do a sql compare, and run the script that’s generated. Out of all of the tools, this is the one that I’d recommend the most. SQL Data Compare SQL Data Compare has saved me so much time since we’ve gotten it that it probably pays for the entire license for the SQL Toolbelt in a year. It allows me to compare the data between two databases on the same server or different servers, script the difference, and then copy and paste the script to the target. I now no longer have to manually create scripts to copy any data, and I no longer have to move around backups.

This is a must if you prefer updating your test and dev data with what’s in production. SQL Dependency Tracker SQL Dependency Track is a very interesting tool, and is a life saver on complicated databases, because when you need to make a change to a table you can find exactly which views, sps, etc. Will be effected by the update. A great time saver and a great investment. SQL Comparison SDK Something that I haven’t played with. SQL Packager Another tool that I haven’t gotten to play with. SQL Prompt SQL Prompt is the one tool that I’ve had rounds with.

It sometimes has a mind of its own, but once you get used to it it’s a great utility to have when you’re writing new scripts or modifying old ones. The fact that you can set up your own custom way of formatting sql and then just hit a keystroke to format what’s on the screen is worth the price of admission (and pain), especially if you’re working on old code that’s not formatted at all. SQL Doc SQL Doc is a pretty neat tool.

It allows you to connect to a database and it presents you with all of the objects in the database. You can then make remarks on different parts of the object, and it then saves those remarks in the database in extended properties. So what that means is that if you manage to lose your SQL Doc project, all you have to do is reconnect to the database with SQL Doc and voila! You’ve got all of your documentation back. The other neat part is that if you use SQL Compare the documentation gets pushed to your test and dev servers (assuming you do your documentation on your dev server first).

It’s a great tool for anyone that has to do any sort of database validation, or just needs to document their database. SQL Backup I have all of my backups scheduled in SQL Server via maintenance plans and jobs. I’ve got several servers that I’m backing up. This tool allows me to add of my servers and track the backups. The only gripe I’ve got is that I can’t zoom out past a couple of days to see the whole week. Great tool for those managing backups on multiple servers. SQL Monitor I got to play with SQL Monitor for a while with it installed on my local machine, and it was pretty awesome.

I had so much data on my servers that I literally didn’t know where to start. I was able to quickly figure everything out though, and it even helped me avert a couple of crisis. Sadly I haven’t been able to get licenses to let me monitor every server I have.

I highly recommend this for any DBA, or any dev house that doesn’t have a dedicated DBA. SQL Multi Script I understand the use of this tool, but I haven’t really had a need for it, so it’s gone overlooked for now. SQL Data Generator This is another tool that I haven’t really had a need to use.

It provides tightened, normal, and reduced plans to be used on measurements which are normally distributed. Ansi asq z1 9 2008 pdf to word. About Z1.9-2008: Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection by Variables for Percent Nonconforming is an acceptance sampling system to be used on a continuing stream of lots for AQL specified. Variation may be measured by sample standard deviation, sample range, or known standard deviation.