SQL SERVER – How to Survive on Free Tools for Month – ApexSQL Complete – A Free SQL Advanced Intellisense

ApexSQL Complete is a free add-in for auto-completing SQL code which integrates with SQL Server Management Studio and Visual Studio. Let us learn about free tools for the month.

The auto-complete feature recognizes, and predicates SQL keywords as well as objects, schemas, databases, parameter and variable names. To auto-complete SELECT statement in a single click just type the SELECT statement into the query window and check the column in the hint list. The rest of the statement will be auto-completed.

By highlighting the object in the hint list you’ll get the complete DDL statement of the selected object even if it is encrypted.

Using the Insert full INSERT statement option you can get the full INSERT statement for a table, without being bothered to remember the order of values you need to pass and the need to write out all the columns. Simply type the INSERT statement in the query window and select the wanted table from the hint list.

The Insert Procedure Parameters Automatically options automatically to display input parameters of the stored procedure in the correct order, and to schema qualify object names automatically use the Insert Object Owner option.

ApexSQL Complete also has user friendly Snippets feature with various variables. I’ll show the snippets feature with a simple example using the $PROMPT$ variable, and make another way to complete statements in the query window.

Create a snippet or edit the existing one in the snippets dialog.

From the query window, right-click and choose the ApexSQL Complete Insert Snippet command. Select the snippet from the hint list, and in this case, because we’re using the $PROMPT$ variable it will prompt the Column Dialog we created.

Enter the variable name, in this simple example the column name and click Ok. The rest of the statement will be inserted and you will be prompted with the hint list for choosing the table to complete the FROM clause

ApexSQL Complete is a SQL intellisense that has more useful options and commands such as:

• Choose the Error list feature to get a list of all syntax errors, updated in real-time
• Use Hints feature to expand or narrow the auto-complete hint list
• With the Code structure feature to display the internal structure of your code
• Create your own aliases or use auto created aliases. Custom table alias will replace the auto created one and it’ll be listed in the hint list
• Add alias or object name to the columns in the WHERE clause, even if there is only one object is specified in the FROM clause, and many more

If you’re looking for a tool that can make your coding process faster and easier and within your budget, try out this free SQL assistant by ApexSQL

Reference: Pinal Dave (https://blog.sqlauthority.com)