LibraryTech NotesExploring unfamiliar databases

Seamless integration of major DatabaseSpy features makes it easy to complete the task at hand without distractions from an unfamiliar database interface or SQL dialect. For instance, you can explore any database by using the Online Browser to retrieve data from tables or views:

• Select any table using the Online Browser. Right-click the table and choose Show in New SQL Editor / Select from the context menu.
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• DatabaseSpy generates and displays a SQL query that shows the names of all the columns in the table.
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• You can edit the query to delete some columns, change the sequence of others, append additional instructions such as ORDER BY, or make any other changes you like. You have moved effortlessly into the SQL Editor.
• Click the Execute button in the SQL Editor toolbar to see the results of your revised query.
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You can copy the table in the results window to paste into another application, or you can save your changes to the query in a SQL file and add it to your project for later reuse. You can even click the Export button in the SQL Editor toolbar to export the query results in any of five formats, including XML, HTML, or Excel.

If you want to see more detail about columns in the table, choose Show in New Design Editor from the Online Browser for a graphical representation that displays the datatypes for each column as well as the table keys and indexes.

If you are not already a DatabaseSpy user, download a free, 30-day trial to try it for yourself!