SQL Prompt ($195, 14 days free trial) is an add-on for SQL Management Studio (and Visual Studio too) similar in its idea to SQL Assistant, which I covered last time.
While definitely targeting the same auditory of hard-core SQL developers, SQL Prompt arguably delivers less bang for its higher buck. While SQL Assistant can, with some degree of wishfull thinking, be called “Resharper for SQL”, this honorary title does not feel appropriate for SQL Prompt. While a cursory look will find the same core features as in SQL Assistant — better Intellisense, code auto-formating and customizable snippets, what strikes is complete absence of in-editor enhancements. Here’s a list of features I particularly missed:
- commenting out selected block of code by pressing Ctrl+/.
- jumping to matching )s and BEGIN/END statements by pressing Ctrl+Alt+B
- auto-highlighting all occurances of the word the text cursor is on
- interactive syntax helper (Ctrl+F1)
- real-time syntax validation status, in the editor as well as in the scrollbar area
In simple language, what I actually want is just that — Resharper for SQL — complete with “Find Usages” and “Go To Declaration”.
The good news is, SQL Prompt does feel faster, and its fewer features have subtly more refined polish. By that I mean little quirks of SQL Assistant like swallowing some space bar hits or displaying intellisense menu when not needed, seem less prominent with SQL Prompt.
The bottom line: if I were you I would not buy either of these. Let’s wait until one of the companies reads this blog. Or, who knows, maybe one day JetBrains will come up with Resharper for SQL?
UPDATE: found a free SSMS add-in called “SSMS Tools Pack“, will check it out and post soon.
