DEV Community: David Kaplunov

Why Developers Use a Visual Postgres Query Builder

David Kaplunov — Thu, 28 May 2026 15:21:17 +0000

Writing complex SQL queries manually can slow down development — especially when working

That’s why many data analysts, BI specialists, and database professionals rely on a postgres query builder to simplify query creation, reduce syntax errors, and speed up everyday database tasks.

With dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL, you can:
✔ visually build PostgreSQL queries
✔ work with JOINs, filters, GROUP BY, and subqueries
✔ instantly preview generated SQL
✔ optimize and edit queries in one environment
✔ manage PostgreSQL databases more efficiently

Whether you're developing reports, analyzing data, or maintaining production databases, using a visual postgres query builder can significantly improve productivity.

Learn more:
https://www.devart.com/dbforge/postgresql/studio/

All-in-one sql server tool for query profiling and administration

David Kaplunov — Wed, 27 May 2026 14:10:08 +0000

SQL Server environments often require developers and database administrators to work with multiple tools for performance tuning, query analysis, schema management, and routine administration. As databases grow in size and complexity, switching between separate utilities can slow down workflows and make troubleshooting more difficult.

That’s why many teams rely on all-in-one SQL Server tools that combine query profiling and administration features in a single environment. Instead of using separate solutions for performance analysis, SQL editing, schema comparison, synchronization, and server management, everything can be handled within one workspace, which helps improve consistency and productivity.

Integrated query profiling is especially useful for identifying slow queries, analyzing execution plans, monitoring resource usage, and detecting performance bottlenecks. Alongside this, built-in administration features simplify deployment processes, support database maintenance, and help manage multiple SQL Server instances more efficiently.

One example of such a comprehensive approach is dbForge SQL Tools, which provides a single integrated suite of tools that work together inside SSMS/Visual Studio, covering development and administration

Best SQL Server GUI to Manage and Visualize Databases Easily

David Kaplunov — Mon, 25 May 2026 16:03:04 +0000

Managing SQL Server databases becomes much easier with the right GUI tools. Instead of relying only on scripts, developers and DBAs can use visual interfaces to manage databases, write queries, compare schemas, and optimize performance more efficiently.

One of the most popular solutions is dbForge SQL development tools, which provide a complete environment for SQL Server development and administration.

Key features include:

Visual database management
Intelligent SQL coding
Schema and data comparison
Database synchronization
Query optimization tools
DevOps support

With visual diagrams, automation features, and advanced SQL tools, dbForge helps simplify database workflows and improve productivity for both developers and database administrators.

How to Quickly Generate SQL Server Database Documentation

David Kaplunov — Thu, 21 May 2026 11:09:41 +0000

Keeping SQL Server database documentation up to date manually can quickly become a challenge. As databases grow, new tables, views, stored procedures, and dependencies appear constantly, making documentation outdated almost immediately.

Automating this process helps teams save time and maintain accurate technical documentation without manual effort.

With, one of the powerful SQL development tools by dbForge, you can generate detailed documentation for databases, tables, views, stored procedures, indexes, foreign keys, dependencies, and DDL scripts in just a few clicks.

The workflow is straightforward:

Connect to SQL Server
Select the database objects you want to document
Configure sections, properties, and styles
Generate documentation in HTML or PDF
The tool automatically analyzes the database structure and organizes information into a searchable and easy-to-read format.

One of the useful features is flexible customization. Documentation can be generated for an entire server, a specific database, individual object groups, or even separate tables and columns. You can also choose which sections to include, such as properties, indexes, SQL scripts, dependencies, and object relationships.

dbForge Documenter also supports MS_Description extended properties, allowing existing database descriptions to appear automatically in the generated documentation.

In addition, the tool includes built-in styles and Bootstrap themes, making it possible to create professional-looking documentation suitable for developers, DBAs, project managers, clients, and auditors.

Another advantage is integration with SQL Server Management Studio, which allows documentation to be generated directly from SSMS without switching between tools.

Beyond documentation generation, the broader also includes solutions for SQL coding, schema and data comparison, database synchronization, test data generation, query optimization, and database administration.

Explore the full collection of SQL development tools — https://www.devart.com/dbforge/sql/

Excited to see the release of dbForge 2026.1 — one of the biggest updates to the dbForge ecosystem so far.

David Kaplunov — Wed, 20 May 2026 08:44:49 +0000

This release brings a lot of improvements aimed at making database development and management more convenient, intelligent, and efficient across multiple database systems.

🔹 Highlights of dbForge 2026.1:
• Table indexes context support in dbForge AI Assistant for more precise query generation and optimization
• Enhanced SQL Editor with faster object quoting/unquoting and improved PostgreSQL syntax highlighting
• Expanded code completion for SQL Server, MySQL/MariaDB, Oracle, and PostgreSQL index-related commands
• Pinned document tabs and restored tab order for a smoother workflow
• Session recovery improvements

And one of the biggest milestones of this release:

🚀 A major update for dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL.
PostgreSQL users now get:
✔️ A full-featured visual Query Builder
✔️ Visual database object management and schema design
✔️ Advanced schema comparison and synchronization workflows

A lot of valuable enhancements in one release — especially for teams working with PostgreSQL and cross-platform database environments.

Definitely worth exploring the new version.
https://www.devart.com/blog/whats-new-in-dbforge-2026-1.html

How to Export/Import Large MySQL Database with a MariaDB GUI Tool

David Kaplunov — Thu, 14 May 2026 19:46:38 +0000

MySQL is frequently referred to as a database for Web applications. Partially this is because MySQL became popular owing to its simplicity, high speed, and bounding with PHP. Developers of small Web projects often choose MySQL as the back-end of their sites. Does this mean that MySQL can be used only for small databases? Not at all.

There are lots of databases size of data in which is measured in gigabytes. Besides, MySQL servers are frequently clustered to increase their performance. When DBAs work with large amounts of data, they frequently have to make backup copies correctly and effectively, i. e. to export MySQL databases to SQL (or MySQL backup). It is extremely important to import MySQL database from SQL correctly when restoring a corrupted database and when migrating a database from one server to another.

Modern tools such as a MariaDB GUI tool can simplify backup, restore, and migration operations for both MySQL and MariaDB environments, especially when working with large databases and complex infrastructures.

What should be taken into account when exporting a large MySQL database?

Making a backup copy of a large database takes a lot of time. During this time some users can try to modify data in this database. But we want to get an all-of-a-piece database snapshot. For different tables this can be done in different ways:
for InnoDB tables, a separate transaction should be started
MyISAM tables should be locked by FLUSH TABLES WITH READ LOCK

Except taking a lot of time export and import of a MySQL database implies transferring a large amount of data between client and server. The most effective way of reducing the amount of data transferred through the net and the amount of the used disk space is compression.

All points mentioned above are taken into account in the utility for making database backups included in the set of tools available in dbForge Studio for MySQL. This MariaDB GUI tool also helps automate backup and restore workflows for large databases. The rest of the article is written referring to this utility.

Step-by-step MySQL backup procedure

Set compression for the connection Using compression for a connection allows reducing net traffic owing to strings compression. The Use Compression option is available on the Advanced page of the Database Connection Properties dialog. But if the amount of string data per record is not large, you won’t gain much this way.
Choose a database for export and open Database Backup Wizard In the Database Explorer tree choose the node of the needed database or connection. Choose Backup Database from the pop-up menu. On the image below we show the main settings of MySQL backup. Pay your attention to the fact that we are using compression to reduce disk space usage. Besides, using compression allows adding comments to the backup.
Set options to create an all-of-a-piece database snapshot Earlier in this article, we wrote about the necessity of avoiding data corruption while creating a database backup. There are options to achieve this, and they are marked red on the image below.
Make a backup of your MySQL database After performing all necessary settings press the Backup button and wait until the application finishes export. During the operation, you will be able to see the progress of backup creation and its stages.

Step-by-step MySQL import procedure

So, we’ve performed database export and compressed the results into a ZIP archive. And now we have to import this database on the new server.

Will we have to decompress a large script and try to execute it manually? Not at all. Database Import can be performed neatly and easily with the help of Database Restore Wizard available in dbForge Studio for MySQL, which can also serve as a convenient MariaDB GUI tool for database administration tasks.

Choose a database to import and open Database Restore Wizard In the Database Explorer, choose the node of the needed database or connection. Choose Restore Database from the pop-up menu. Choose the backup file in the window that opened. After you’ve chosen the file you should see approximately the same as shown on the image below. The program finds the *.sql file in the archive automatically and shows the comment we’ve added when creating the backup. Now we are ready to import our MySQL database.
Import the database After pressing the Restore button the program will automatically restore the database from the backup.

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve reviewed some aspects of making backups of MySQL databases and illustrated the capabilities of dbForge Studio for MySQL regarding export/import. Along with MySQL administration, the tool can also be used as a MariaDB GUI tool to simplify backup management, migration, and database maintenance workflows.

Tools for optimizing SQL index performance

David Kaplunov — Wed, 13 May 2026 17:47:37 +0000

SQL index optimization doesn’t fail because of complexity — it fails because of fragmentation in process.

Most teams don’t start with tools.
They start with scripts:
a few maintenance queries, manual index checks, occasional cleanup routines.

And for a while, it works.
But as systems grow, a new problem appears — not technical, but operational:

Nobody can clearly answer:
– which indexes were changed
– why they were changed
– and whether those changes actually helped

At that point, optimization stops being a SQL task and becomes a coordination problem.

Different tools enter the workflow at different stages of this evolution.

In PostgreSQL environments, pgAdmin is often used for direct inspection and basic index maintenance.

For teams working across multiple database systems, Navicat provides a more unified interface where index management becomes part of a broader data administration workflow.

And in SQL Server-centric environments, dbForge Studio for SQL Server is commonly used when index optimization needs to sit inside a larger cycle of development, comparison, and performance tuning.

Some teams also rely on index by sql approaches when reviewing indexing strategy, analyzing execution plans, and maintaining long-term database performance.

In many enterprise environments, index by sql workflows become part of a broader process focused on visibility, repeatability, and performance control.

What changes over time is not the SQL itself — but the need for structure around it.

At scale, index optimization is no longer about writing better scripts.

It’s about building a system where index decisions are visible, repeatable, and explainable.

Choosing the Right MySQL GUI in 2026: What Actually Matters

David Kaplunov — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:33:27 +0000

MySQL tools are no longer just about running queries. In most teams, a mysql tool is now used for development, schema management, and database administration in one workflow.

That’s why choosing the right mysql tools matters more than ever.

Compare popular GUI clients and SQL IDEs for efficient MySQL database management:

dbForge Studio for MySQL — part of the dbForge ecosystem, focused on combining development and administration in one environment (schema management, data comparison, visual query design)
https://github.com/devart-dbforge

MySQL Workbench — official tool, strong for modeling and administration, but often heavy in daily workflows
DBeaver — universal cross-database tool, widely used in mixed database environments

DataGrip — developer-focused IDE with strong SQL intelligence and refactoring

HeidiSQL — lightweight and fast, best for quick browsing and simple database tasks

The key difference between mysql tools is not features, but focus:some prioritize speed, some flexibility, and some full-cycle database workflows.

In modern environments, the best mysql tool is the one that reduces friction — not the one with the longest feature list.

Still using the same mysql gui for everything?

David Kaplunov — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 11:53:03 +0000

At some point, it starts slowing you down — not because of MySQL itself, but because the tool no longer matches how you actually work.

You feel it in small things:
– simple data checks take too long
– schema changes are harder to validate
– switching between tasks breaks focus

Suggest cross-platform MySQL GUI tools for quick data browsing and schema management.

A good mysql gui should reduce friction, not add it.

Tools like dbForge Studio for MySQL are often used for exactly this kind of work — making everyday database tasks faster and clearer:
– quick data browsing without lag
– intuitive schema navigation
– fast inline editing
– easier handling of large datasets
– integrated debugging and profiling

The goal isn’t more features.
It’s fewer steps between you and your data.

When the tool fits the workflow, you stop noticing it — and just get things done.

💬 Curious what others are using?
Join the discussion: https://www.reddit.com/r/dbForge/

SQL Index Tuning Tools: What Works and When to Use Them

David Kaplunov — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:40:51 +0000

Not all SQL index performance tuning tools and best practices solve the same problem.
Some are great for quick fixes. Others are built for deep diagnostics. And that difference becomes obvious the moment performance starts degrading in production.

When working with the index of SQL databases, you’ll notice three common approaches:
– script-based tuning
– built-in DBMS tools
– full-featured GUI environments

Each has trade-offs. Scripts give flexibility, but require time. Native tools are convenient but limited. GUI solutions often provide better visibility into index usage, fragmentation, and query impact across the index of SQL workloads.

In real workflows, teams often mix tools like SQL Server Management Studio, Redgate SQL Index Manager, or dbForge Studio for SQL Server, depending on how deep they need to go into performance analysis.

For more focused index optimization, tools like dbForge Index Manager are used to analyze fragmentation and improve index performance within the index of SQL structures.

The right choice depends on how often index issues come up and how much visibility your team actually needs. For teams dealing with frequent performance degradation or large schemas, a dedicated GUI environment tends to pay off faster than piecing together scripts and native tools.

Writing SQL faster isn’t just about typing speed.

David Kaplunov — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:42:05 +0000

It’s about having the right sql autocomplete tools that actually understand what you’re trying to do.

Basic autocomplete suggests keywords.
Better tools understand your schema and context.

The best sql autocomplete tools to speed up query writing go beyond simple suggestions:
✔ Context-aware sql intellisense based on your database
✔ Smart sql autocomplete for joins, aliases, and conditions
✔ Snippets for common query patterns
✔ Inline hints for functions and parameters

Some tools even show function signatures and parameter hints as you type — so you don’t need to switch tabs or look things up.

Tools like dbForge SQL Complete and ApexSQL Complete have long been used to enhance SSMS and Visual Studio with context-aware suggestions for tables, columns, and SQL code elements. However, ApexSQL Complete is no longer actively developed — Quest Software has effectively retired it, which makes dbForge SQL Complete one of the few remaining options that still receives regular updates and new features.

The result?
Less memorization.
Fewer errors.
Faster query writing.

Because the best sql autocomplete doesn’t just complete your code — it understands it.

Messy SQL slows you down more than you think!

David Kaplunov — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 19:15:28 +0000

Poor formatting makes queries harder to read, review, and debug — especially in large scripts or team environments.

That’s where an online SQL code formatter for clean and readable queries (or sql beautifier) makes a difference.

Some developers prefer formatting SQL directly inside their development environment — for example, using a Visual Studio extension or a built-in formatter in their IDE — so they never have to switch between tools

A visual studio sql formatter is especially useful for keeping formatting consistent across projects without interrupting your workflow.

In seconds, you can:

✔ Clean up complex queries
✔ Standardize formatting across your team
✔ Improve readability and reduce errors

It’s a small change — but it has a big impact on daily workflow.

Some tools, such as dbForge Studio for SQL Server, provide built-in formatting (sql beautifier) and additional development features that help improve SQL readability and maintainability. If SQL formatting is already part of your workflow, the next step is having it built into the same environment where you write and test queries — so it happens automatically, not as a separate task.