SQL Prompt 7.2 released – SQL Server Management Studio 2016 support & new features

We’ve just released SQL Prompt 7.2 with new SSMS 2016 support, features and fixes. If you’re new to SQL Prompt try it for free. If you already use it, just ‘check for updates’ in SQL Prompt to upgrade to the new version.

For more detail on what’s new, read on.

SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 2016

This release supports the SSMS April 2016 Preview. Given how many of you rely on SQL Prompt for your day-to-day work, we’ve made sure we’re right up to speed with Microsoft’s frequent release cycle for SSMS.

Due to some significant changes under the hood of SSMS, you’ll need to make sure you’re on the latest preview when using SQL Prompt 7.2 in SSMS 2016.

We’ve also expanded suggestions support for SQL Server 2016 grammar.

Suggestions for Azure SQL Data Warehouse

SQL Prompt now offers code suggestions for Azure SQL Data Warehouse, when you’re developing in either SSMS or Visual Studio. If you’re just getting started with Azure SQL Data Warehouse, or simply want to learn more, take a look at this helpful article from Robert Sheldon: Getting started with Azure SQL Data Warehouse

Similarly, we’ve added suggestions for Analytics Platform System (APS, formerly known as Parallel Data Warehouse, or PDW). Support for APS was our second highest request on UserVoice from users who were frustrated at having to work with APS without IntelliSense, so we’re delighted to get this feature into your hands.

Execution warnings

SQL Prompt provides SSSM 2016 support

“This alone could arguably be worth the cost of SQL Prompt! Aka Insurance!” @SQLBek

I expect there’s a fair few of you out there who’ve experienced the sheer panic of almost (or actually) executing an UPDATE or DELETE statement without a WHERE clause. That heart-stopping moment can now be avoided with a new execution warning in SQL Prompt. It’s a bit like when you try and send an email in Outlook without the attachment, and it reminds you that you’ve forgotten to attach the file…except not quite on the same heart-attack-inducing scale. Just another way SQL Prompt has got you covered!

Highlight matching identifiers

I’m really excited by ‘Highlight matching identifiers’. It’s great because it’s aware of scope and context. If you’ve got an alias and a column that have the same name, and you only want to see where the column’s used, SQL Prompt will just highlight uses of the column. The alias will be ignored, unlike doing a basic text search using Ctrl+F.

It’s something we implemented in version 7.1 as an experimental feature that was off by default. However, it received such good feedback from you guys that it’s now on by default in 7.2.

In the words of our very own evangelist and Data Platform MVP, Grant Fritchey:

“Have a 3000+ line store proc. I absolutely ADORE the ability to highlight a variable and all uses of it show up.”

sql-prompt-highlight-matching-objects

You can read about a whole host of other improvements and fixes in the full release notes.

This sounds great, how do I get my hands on it?

It’s available now! If you’re new to SQL Prompt try it for free. If you already use it, just ‘check for updates’ in SQL Prompt to upgrade to the latest version.

We hope you like the new features. If you have any feedback please get in touch with the team via the SQL Prompt forum or UserVoice page.

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