Data is an integral part of business
Nearly any kind of modern business relies on it. Data is everywhere — texts, numbers, media, all in a multitude of formats. Your name, pictures, address, age, weight, height – it’s all data.
As long as data is unorganized, it’s mostly useless. In order to make it actionable, in order to analyze it and make crucial decisions, businesses organize and systematically store data in databases.
What is a database?
A database is a structured collection of data, stored and processed by computer systems. Databases presuppose easy access to any selection of required data, which is conveniently organized in a wide array of database objects, with tables probably being the most notable of them. Development, management and administration of databases is typically handled by dedicated specialists.
If we talk about the simplest use cases, we can mention service providers that need databases to store basic information about their clients, including names, contacts, emails, service details, etc. It helps them manage billing plans, handle requests, complaints, and track the history of services pertaining to every client.
There are different types of databases. Some of the best-known types are distributed databases, object-oriented databases, relational databases, open-source databases and cloud databases. The choice depends on the needs and goals of every particular business.
What are database tools?
There is a diversity of software tools, specifically designed to design and develop entire databases; store, change, search, extract and back up data; keep databases up-to-date with synchronization features; and much more. Let’s say all the activities can be divided into three main categories: development, management, and administration.
To handle it all most effectively, software product companies develop and provide database tools, which range from simple apps for standalone tasks to integrated development environments (IDE) that perform nearly any operation and automate the routine work of a database specialist.
Who uses database tools?
Database tools are mostly used by three types of specialists:
• Database developers use these tools to design and develop different kinds of databases.
• Database analysts use these tools to retrieve data for analysis.
• Database administrators use these tools to set up and manage databases and resolve any issues that stand in the way.
Types of database tools
The market offers a wide variety of database development and management tools, developed by software product companies. One of the well-known examples is Devart — a company that focuses on varied database-related software, ranging from simple tools to complex solutions for all major database management systems (DBMS), including SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle, and PostgreSQL.
The range of Devart products is roughly similar for each DBMS. The titles mostly speak for themselves:
• Studio: all-in-one IDE that covers nearly any task related to database development, management, and administration
• Data Compare: a tool that helps find and eliminate data discrepancies
• Schema Compare: a tool that deals with comparison and synchronization of database schemas (structures)
• SQL Complete: the ultimate tool for SQL coding, delivering smart autocompletion, code formatting and refactoring, SQL debugging, data visualization, and more
• Data Generator: a tool that provides any amounts of meaningful test data
• Documenter: a tool that generates full database documentation in a number of formats
These are the most popular tools; if you want further details, you can find the entire product lines for each DBMS on the Devart website.
Benefits of database tools
The value of database tools has to outweigh their price. For example, Devart provides some of the best premium tools within an affordable price range. Here are several aspects of value delivered by them:
• Visual design of databases and queries (convenient visualization tools remove the need for unnecessary coding, thus saves time)
• Automation and scheduling of routine operations
• Improved code writing (smart suggestions, code snippets, code formatting and refactoring make code writing a pleasure for the developer)
• Fast comparison and synchronization (both database structures and data itself can be compared and synchronized in a few clicks)
Besides the extended functionality, Devart tools focus on improving the productivity of every user. This winning combination has earned them a respectable place in the market.
