Azure Data Studio (ADS) is a cross-platform data management tool developed by Microsoft. It is built on top of the Visual Studio Code editor and is optimized for cloud-based scenarios. It is designed to provide a streamlined and modern experience for working with SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, and Azure SQL Data Warehouse, as well as other data platforms like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite.
ADS provides a wide range of features that make it easy to work with data, including:
Query editing and execution: ADS includes a built-in query editor that supports syntax highlighting, IntelliSense, and code snippets. It also has the ability to execute queries and scripts and display the results in a grid or text format.
Backup and restore: ADS provides tools for backing up and restoring databases, including the ability to create full, differential, and transaction log backups.
Security and permissions management: ADS provides tools for managing security and permissions on SQL Server instances and databases. It allows you to create and manage logins, users, and roles, as well as assign permissions to specific objects in a database.
Data management: ADS provides a wide range of data management capabilities, including the ability to view and edit data in tables and views, create and modify database objects like tables, views, stored procedures and functions.
Reporting and analysis: ADS includes several reporting and analysis tools that allow you to create and view reports on the data stored in SQL Server databases.
Integrations and Automation : ADS allows integration with other tools like SQL Agent for scheduling jobs, and also supports automation with PowerShell or SQL scripts.
Cross-platform support: Azure Data Studio can run on Windows, Linux and Mac, and it supports SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Data Warehouse, and other data platforms like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite.
Azure Data Studio is a free and open-source tool, which makes it accessible to a wide range of users, and it's lightweight nature makes it easy to use and efficient for everyday tasks.
How Is Azure Data Studio Different Than SQL Server Management Studio?
Azure Data Studio (ADS) and SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) are both tools for managing and working with SQL Server databases, but they have some key differences:
UI and Experience: SSMS is a traditional Windows application with a more complex interface, while Azure Data Studio has a modern, streamlined interface that is built on top of Visual Studio Code, which is optimized for cloud-based scenarios and other data platforms like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite.
Platform support: SSMS is primarily designed for managing SQL Server databases on Windows, while Azure Data Studio is a cross-platform tool that can run on Windows, Linux and Mac, and also supports SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Data Warehouse, and other data platforms like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite.
Resource usage: SSMS can be resource intensive, particularly when working with large or complex databases, while Azure Data Studio is more lightweight, which makes it more efficient to use and less likely to slow down the system.
Feature set: SSMS is a more feature-rich and powerful tool for managing on-premises SQL Server instances, while Azure Data Studio is more lightweight and focused on data management and query editing. SSMS has many features that are not present in Azure Data Studio, such as backup and restore, security and permissions management, performance monitoring, and more.
Cost: SSMS is included with the SQL Server license, while Azure Data Studio is a free and open-source tool.
Integration and Automation: SSMS allows integration with other tools like SQL Agent for scheduling jobs, and also supports automation with PowerShell or SQL scripts, while Azure Data Studio also allows integration with other tools and supports automation, but it may have less options than SSMS in this area.
In summary, SSMS is a more feature-rich and powerful tool for managing on-premises SQL Server instances, while Azure Data Studio is a more lightweight, cross-platform tool optimized for cloud-based scenarios, other data platforms and has a more modern interface. The choice between the two will depend on the user's needs and preferences.
You can download SQL Data Studio Here