Introduction to Azure Data Studio
A database tool that works in all the platforms where developers can manage SQL Server databases or cloud-based SQL databases or SQL data warehouse systems based on Azure is called Azure Data Studio. We can use any language in Data Studio so that developers who are not proficient in SQL can use any language and run the scripts to get the desired results. Offered for free, we can connect with any databases and manage the database in the system. We can customize the dashboards and use built-in charts so that we can visualize the query result sets in the database.
How to Install Azure Data Studio?
1. Search download Azure data studio in google or go to https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/azure-data-studio/download-azure-data-studio.
2. We can see the platform and download files on the site. Download the file based on your platform along with the installer if provided for the corresponding platform.
3. If we have SQL Server Management Studio in the system, it is automatically available. If not, use the User installer or System installer in the windows machine. Also, we can use the zip file present in the downloads page where after extraction, we get directly by taking the .exe file. Alternatively, we can run \azuredatastudio-windows\azuredatastudio.exe. in CLI and get it downloaded through a zip file.
4. macOS installation is direct where we must open the zip file and drag the app into the applications folder. This makes the application available in the system. In Linux installation, download the .deb file from the website and extract the contents into the system. Start data studio by running in the Bash command line. This process is to be followed if we are using .rpm file. If we are using tar.gz file, extract the contents into the system by giving the path in the Bash command line and then run in the same command line. We should also install the dependencies in the system for the unlimited running of the application.
Shell Features of Azure Data Studio
- We should use Azure sign-in where we must probably have the Azure portal credentials along with the subscription or at least the trial account to start with. Dashboard is available in Data Studio where we can customize the features of our choice or we can use the available features to do the data analysis. Object explorer and object scripting are available in Data Studio where we can use scripts to do the data analysis or we can use features from the customized dashboard. We have an integrated terminal so that the application makes us familiar with the available tools and how to use the same.
- Extensions can be used in Data Studio so that we can use Python or Scala plugin instead of SQL and do the modifications in the data. These extensions help developers to choose the language of their own choice and use it for their requirements. Also, developers can create projects in Data Studio so that if there are multiple projects worked on by the same person, they can store the tables and codes in the project folder and work on multiple projects on the same time. Developers can select the table from the project pane and have complete control over the source code. This makes developers change the code whenever needed and make it ready for future requirements. Task pane is also available in the application so that developers can prioritize the tasks and complete them as per their needs.
5. We can change the themes in Data Studio and even they have a dark theme to make it user-centric. Azure resource explorer is not present as of now but we do have a preview of Azure resource Explorer. It is expected that they will release ARM template version sooner in the coming versions. We don’t have to generate scripts wizard-like SQL Server Studio but instead of that we can generate codes and use them in our scripts. Table designer and object properties of each object are not present in the application which developers should figure out in their manner. We do have a chart viewer and we can export the results into any format such as CSV, JSON, or xlsx into the system. We can use snippets in Azure Data Studio and manage them whenever needed.
Features of Azure Data Studio
SQL is the easy coding to be used that can be used with IntelliSense so that the codes will be automatically filled in the query editor for known commands.
Smart SQL snippets are available in Data Studio where also we can customize the SQL snippets based on our requirements. This feature enables developers to use customized code in their projects and use the same across the account if needed. Same feature of IntelliSense will make Data Studio project the code snippets to developers and separate settings is not needed. It also shows information pertaining to each query.
We can customize the dashboards which makes monitoring easy for users. Performance can be checked and if there is any bottleneck query, we can figure out the same from the dashboard in the application. Several widgets are also available in the application to make the query run faster if there is a slowdown due to several other queries in the same page of Data Studio.
We can connect with various server groups so that easy transmission of data occurs within the environment. All the information regarding the databases and projects can be collected from the server groups. Integrated terminal can also be used so that bash or ssh commands can be used.
Conclusion
We have SQL Server Management Studio to run SQL queries and manage the databases. But, Azure Data Studio gives the provision of using any language or even power shell to manage the database and write codes based on our requirements. We can use Data Studio for improved performance as well.
Recommended Articles
This is a guide to Azure Data Studio. Here we discuss the Introduction, How to install Azure Data Studio, Shell Features of Azure Data Studio respectively. You may also have a look at the following articles to learn more –
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