As SQL Server DBAs, we often find ourselves in need of tools to help us with our day-to-day tasks. While there are plenty of scripts and commands available online, sometimes it’s more convenient to use a tool that requires less customization and technical know-how. In this article, I will share a list of free tools that I personally use and find helpful.
NVU
One tool that I frequently use is NVU, an open-source WYSIWYG HTML editor. It allows me to create HTML pages with simple code, without the extra commands generated by MS Word. NVU is free to download and use, and it doesn’t require any registration.
FullSun SQL Server Toolkit
This toolkit is a great resource for SQL Server 2000 users. It offers various features such as identifying SQL IDs with weak passwords, reviewing errors and failed logins in the SQL Error Log files, monitoring database growth, and reading database log files. The FullSun SQL Server Toolkit is CharityWare software, meaning that it encourages users to make a charitable donation when using the tool.
EMS SQL Manager for SQL Server Lite
EMS provides a free lite version of their SQL Manager tool, which offers limited administration functions. One of the standout features of this tool is the ability to view data in a grid or form while browsing or editing a table. The lite version is available for SQL Server 2005 and can be downloaded from the EMS website after registration.
Toad for SQL Server
Quest offers a freeware version of their popular Toad for SQL Server tool. It provides basic functions similar to Enterprise Manager, with a separate SQL Editor tab for executing queries. The export wizard supports various formats, although exporting a table as insert statements requires the commercial version. Toad for SQL Server can be downloaded and used without registration.
SQLCheck
SQLCheck is a free performance dashboard from Idera that offers real-time monitoring of key performance indicators such as Buffer Cache Ratio, User Connections, and Processor Time. It also allows users to review SQL processes, error logs, jobs, and configurations. Idera requires registration before downloading the product.
WinSql
WinSql by Synametrics is an ODBC SQL Query tool with create table options. It is particularly useful for troubleshooting SQL statements executed by developers. Registration is required to use this product.
SQLinForm
SQLinForm is a free online SQL Formatter that supports multiple database engines. It helps clean up complex SQL statements and make them more readable. Unlike some other SQL formatting tools, SQLinForm does not require registration and can be used online for free.
SpaceMonger
SpaceMonger is a handy tool for quickly visualizing file allocations on a drive. It provides a graphical view of the space usage and can be executed locally or remotely on mapped drives. The free version of SpaceMonger, v1.4.0, is available without installation or registration.
ExamDiff
ExamDiff is a useful tool for comparing SQL code, stored procedures, table counts, and other data. It offers a clean GUI interface for selecting files and browsing the results. While the company PrestoSoft provides a more advanced version, the free version is sufficient for simple text file comparisons. ExamDiff does not require installation or registration.
Windows Sysinternals
Windows Sysinternals, created by Mark Russinovich and Bryce Cogswell, is a collection of free tools for troubleshooting and diagnosing Windows servers and desktops. Many of these tools, such as Process Explorer and Handle, are still free and regularly updated. Most of the tools are executables that do not require installation or registration.
7-Zip
7-Zip is a compression tool that supports multiple formats and files larger than 4 GB. It is a great alternative to WinZip for compressing large files. 7-Zip is open-source software and can be downloaded and used without registration.
The 46 Best-ever Freeware Utilities
If you’re looking for tools beyond the realm of SQL Server, this website offers a collection of 46 categories of freeware utilities. Each category is reviewed and rated by the site owner, providing a curated list of useful tools for various purposes. The website provides links to other sites from which you can download the software.
Yahoo E-mail
When registering for free tools that require an email address, using a separate Yahoo e-mail account can be a good option. Yahoo provides an excellent spam filter, ensuring that most spam emails are caught in the Bulk (SPAM) folder. While you may receive occasional advertisements from Yahoo, they are easily identified and deleted.
In conclusion, while purchased tools often offer more functionality, these free tools can be a valuable resource for SQL Server DBAs. They fill a need and can help streamline various tasks. All the tools mentioned in this article are still available and free at the time of writing. If you know of any other useful free tools for SQL Server DBAs, feel free to share them in the comments section.