Azure Data Studio: Learn what it is and how to use it

[ashammi228]

Azure Data Studio is a versatile and innovative SQL code solution . The platform is therefore used for developing database projects, visualizing and editing variables and their results, both on local infrastructures and in clouds on Windows, macOS and Linux.

With this, it is possible to simplify daily tasks, automate processes and continuously improve user experiences in IT environments or in projects that involve information analysis, such as Digital Marketing strategies.

If you need to use a database management and development tool on what makes overseas chinese in australia data valuable asset Windows, macOS or Linux with T-SQL, sql cmd or PowerShell, export data in different visualization formats, among other tasks, you need to know Azure Data Studio!

In this article, you will find information about:

What features are available in Azure Data Studio and what are the advantages over SSMS?
What operating systems does Microsoft Azure Data Studio support?
How to install it?
How to connect to SQL Server?
What are its possible extensions?
What are the benefits of using Azure Data Studio?
Read to the end!

What features are available in Azure Data Studio and what are the advantages over SSMS?
As we said at the beginning of this article, Azure Data Studio is a database tool that allows easy, intuitive and efficient information management. This is because it facilitates user interaction with all data instances, both in a local legacy database and in the cloud.

The platform also provides a SQL coding experience and integration with IntelliSense—which is why Azure Data Studio was previously known as SQL Operations Studio. With it, data, code snippets, and navigation features can be controlled through GIT—an open-source project from the same creator of the Linux operating system.

Compared to SSMS (SQL Server Management Studio) for database administration, security management, and information query, this is not an ideal GUI tool. On the contrary, in some aspects, Azure Data Studio has superior performance.

For example, the main benefit of Azure Data Studio is its cross-platform nature, as it supports use on platforms other than the Windows operating system—macOS and Linux.

In addition to that, it is versatile beyond being integrable with SQL Server 2014 and later versions, it can also be adapted for PostgreSQL servers and, of course, Azure products such as Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Data Warehouse and Azure SQL Managed Instance.

Azure Data Studio is not designed to replace SSMS. While the tools have similar functionality, Azure Data Studio is more lightweight and versatile. Cross-platform support also gives users more flexibility, plus it is designed to be easy to use regardless of the developer's skill level, requiring a shorter learning curve compared to SSMS.

Microsoft recommends using Azure Data Studio over SSMS if users need to edit and run queries against databases, quickly plot or preview query results, connect to and query a SQL Server 2019 Big Data cluster, and more.

On the other hand, SSMS should be used by DBAs and other IT professionals who spend most of their time on database administration tasks, including configuration and security management, and for that they need to use dashboards and performance tuning tools.

However, Azure Data Studio has the following features:

creation of smart code segments, both for making test database copies and for the development and execution of other scenarios;
navigation options that make code management easier;
options to create and execute SQL queries;
results analysis options;
export compatible with TXT, JSON and Excel formats;
edit data, manage database connections, and visualize information;
using notepad and creating scripts in SQL, Spark, Python and Scala;
Advanced query editing integrated with IntelliSense — simplifies code entry tasks with auto-completion and many other automated operations for code verification and formatting, increasing process speed and accuracy;
SQL code snippets, which help you use the correct syntax;
update database objects;
source code control, through an integrated Git Source Manager (SCM) that allows you to store database scripts, compare versions, commit changes and revert them;
Custom insights and dashboards that help you seamlessly access statistics and other information for data analysis and troubleshooting ;
direct verification of object definitions in the database;
quick view of query results;
Dark theme for users who prefer dimly lit interfaces while working.
The Transact-SQL editor, one of the features built into the Azure Data Studio package, offers the following options:

searching for database objects;
perform common tasks for database objects;
edit table data;
code snippets to write T-SQL quickly;
Viewing details in the database with Peek Definition or Go to Definition;
information search and replacement;
hiding code snippets;
copying lines;
moving lines of code;
simultaneous editing of multiple lines;
alteration of font types and sizes;
use of color themes for customization;
adding line numbers and comments.
In short, Azure Data Studio is the best choice for users who need more flexibility regarding operating systems and ease of editing and running queries and executing processes.

But as a developer, you can choose to identify the strengths and weaknesses of both tools.


What operating systems does Microsoft Azure Data Studio support?
Microsoft Azure Data Studio supports the following operating system versions:

Windows: 7, 8, 8.1, 10 64-bit;
Windows Server 2008 R2, 2012, 2012 R2 (all 64-bit versions), 2016, and 2019;
macOS 10.12 to 10.15;
Linux Red Hat Enterprise 7.3, 7.4;
Ubuntu 16.04.
It has also been included in the SQL Server Management Studio package since SSMS version 18.7 and is integrated with the SSMS installation package.

How to install it?
If you don't have Azure Data Studio yet, you can download and install it for free . Downloads are available in various formats and for all operating systems on the tool's official page - simply choose the package that suits your needs and design preferences. Installation instructions for each chosen package can also be found on the website .

In this article, we guide you through the installation on Windows:

If it is more convenient, choose the setup for the user, which does not require administrator rights;
Download the installation file, run it and follow the installation wizard. The process is simple and you just need to click "Next" to continue;
After accepting the installation to the default folder, click "Exit".
Azure Data Studio
There is another way to install Azure Data Studio. You can use a command line script. It doesn't require any GUI prompts and you can install the software in the background. The method is only available for Windows platforms, just launch the command prompt and type the command:

<ruta donde se encuentra el archivo azuredatastudio-windows-user-setup-x.xx.x.exe> ​​/ VERYSILENT / MERGETASKS =! runcode>
Azure Data Studio
How to connect to SQL Server?
Once the process is complete, launch Azure Data Studio to configure it correctly:

On the welcome page, establish a connection to the server . To do this, click "New Connection";
provides the details needed to connect your development environment to your SQL Server:
connection type : Microsoft SQL Server;
server : Enter the name of the server here. For example, localhost ;
authentication type : SQL login;
username : Username for SQL Server;
password : password for the username;
database – The name of the database for SQL Server;
server group – The required server group.
Then, start the notebook and perform the necessary tasks for the database: creating tables, queries, viewing results, among others.

Azure Data Studio
In the sidebar, you can find shortcuts to some Azure Data Studio features, for example:

Connections – The feature is similar to SSMS and allows users to manage existing connections and establish new connections to SQL Server. It also allows viewing databases and their objects;
Search – This option allows users to search for specific information in all files and folders available in the database;
notebook – Contains code elements, including custom code snippets, that make it easier to develop and manage elements;
explore – allows you to manage applicable files within the tool;
source control – connects the platform to Git repositories and performs standard tasks;
Extensions – Enhance the functionality of Azure Data Studio with extensions that help with data coding and visualization tasks.
Azure Data Studio
What are the possible extensions?
As we mentioned earlier, Azure Data Studio supports the addition of extensions to amplify the capabilities of the tool and add functionality that enables better software performance. Some of these extensions are available in the library and are developed by the Azure Data Studio team itself.

However, like other open source software, WordPress for example, many extensions are created and made available by independent developers, who work in the community to improve features and increasingly enhance the performance of the platform.

These extensions are available in the toolkit or on GitHub . To find and manage them across the platform, simply use a filter (@installed) in the search box at the top of the UI.