Features

* These features are available in the Standard edition of dbForge SQL Complete only.

** The Express edition of dbForge SQL Complete offers partial support of these features. Full support is available in the Standard edition only.

Context-based prompt of different object types

When you are typing a query, dbForge SQL Complete displays names of all valid database and other objects from the specified database or schema, or names of columns from the specified table. Object types are marked with different icons, so you can easily recognize them. The complete list of the supported types is available in the Types Supported in the Prompt List of dbForge SQL Complete topic.

Context-based prompt of keywords**

dbForge SQL Complete offers a list of expected keywords to use in the current position of your code. For example, when you are typing SELECT *, the list shows all available keywords that match the context.

    

Context-based prompt of linked servers*

dbForge SQL Complete displays names of the following linked servers:

• SQL Server 2000
• SQL Server 2005
• SQL Server 2008
• SQL Server 2012
• SQL Azure

Context-based prompt of function parameters

When calling any built-in or user defined function in your query, you can see a hint with information about the function and parameters it requires.

 

Word autocompletion

If you are typing first several symbols of a database object name, and dbForge SQL Complete finds only one match, it automatically inserts it to complete the word.

Automatic filtering of object in the suggestion list

dbForge SQL Complete automatically filters names of objects and keywords in the list based on what you are typing. Filtering rules include typed symbols, a whitespace, camel case, or a square bracket. For example, if you type SELECT * FROM PC, you will see the suggested compound names which elements start with the P and C characters (camel case).

 Context-based sorting of suggestions in the list

dbForge SQL Complete sorts names of databases objects by type and displays most relevant suggestions at the top of the list, others are moved to the bottom.

Determining a current database or schema

dbForge SQL Complete displays a list of database objects from the current database or schema even when their names are not specified in a query. The names of the current database or schema are determined basing on connection properties of the current SQL document. Besides, the tool finds USE statements in the code and changes the current database for subsequent SQL statements.

Supporting queries to various databases

Typing statements in the context of some database, you can get suggested objects of another database if you specify its name in the query text.

Automatic displaying suggestions while typing

From the first symbols that you are typing in the SQL editor, dbForge SQL Complete determines the most relevant suggestions for the current context and displays them in the list. You can cancel automatic display of suggestions or edit delay time used to display them.

Two ways to insert a suggested word into a query

To insert a suggested word into code, you can select it in the list of suggestions or type previously specified symbol(s). See General Options topic for more details.

Usage of syntax highlight settings for the suggestions list

dbForge SQL Complete highlights keywords, built-in functions and other objects in the suggestion list basing on corresponding settings of SSMS.

Highlight occurrences of an identifier*

The feature allows users to see all identifier occurrences. In a few moments after the cursor was moved to the identifier, all the identifier occurrences in the text will be highlighted.

 

Query formatting**

It takes one click, and dbForge SQL Complete formats the style of your SQL statements, paying attention to case, line breaks, whitespaces, indenting, wrapping, etc. Statements with errors are skipped and are not formatted. You can tune formatting by applying a wide selection of formatting options.

Unformatted query:

Formatted query:

The error message appears for invalid statements when formatting the document.

Support of various query types**

dbForge SQL Complete provides context-based suggestions and formatting in such queries like SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, USE, CREATE (table, procedure, function, trigger, view), ALTER (procedure, function, trigger, view, schema), EXEC, DROP, GRANT, REVOKE, DENY, ENABLE TRIGGER, DISABLE TRIGGER, control flow statements (IF, WHILE), BEGIN ... END blocks.

Semi-transparent view of the suggestion box

When your code is overlapped by the suggestion box, dbForge SQL Complete allows you to look at it without closing the suggestion box. Hold Ctrl to make the suggestion box switch to semi-transparent view. 

   

Suggesting methods for columns and variables*

dbForge SQL Complete can suggest methods for columns and variables of the varchar(max), nvarchar(max), varbinary(max), and xml types.

For columns and variables of the varchar(max), nvarchar(max), and varbinary(max) data types the WRITE method can be suggested.

For columns and variables of the xml data type, the query(), value(), exist(), modify(), and nodes() methods can be suggested.

All these methods can be suggested (except WRITE and nodes()) in the context of calculated expressions and after column identifiers of these types with a point.

Context-based prompt for JOIN clause*

For JOIN clauses, dbForge SQL Complete can suggest a full JOIN clause that is based on foreign keys, or it can suggest conditions that are based on column names and foreign keys. This suggestion is available after the JOIN keyword as well as after the ON one.

Automatic alias generation in SELECT statements*

dbForge SQL Complete can assign an alias to each table object (table, view, function, synonym, sub-query) available in the FROM list of your SQL statement automatically. You can learn more about alias generation in the Managing aliases in dbForge SQL Complete topic.

Sorting keywords by relevance*

Keywords in the suggestion list may be sorted by relevance. If the Sort keywords by relevance option is unchecked, keywords are sorted in alphabetical order. 

This feature allows grouping keywords in the suggestion list by the degree of relevance of a keyword to some specific context. This helps to single out the most appropriate keywords for commit.

The sample below demonstrates how this option works:

The Sort keywords by relevance property is on (keywords are sorted by relevance):

The Sort keywords by relevance property is off (keywords are sorted in alphabetical order):

Quick object info**

Essential information about a database object is shown in the hint when the mouse cursor is over the identifier. For tables users can see column names with data types, additional column properties (e.g., not null and identify attributes), primary, unique, and foreign keys. For other objects, the quick info includes object type and an available user description.

If users move the mouse cursor to the * symbol in SELECT statements, the hint with the column list is displayed.

If users move the mouse cursor to the alias in FROM statement, the hint containing a table/expression with a column list is displayed (where possible).

If users select an item from the list the hint containig quick database object information is displayed across the selected list item.

Execute Current Statement

You can execute the current SQL statement without selecting it. You just need to place the cursor in the statement and press Ctrl+Shift+E - and SQL Complete will define statement boundaries itself.

Inserting columns list on pressing Tab*

You may insert a list of columns available for the needed objects (tables, views, etc.) of the FROM list instead of the * symbol by pressing the Tab key. If such list can be inserted, a hint is displayed when the cursor is after the * symbol.

Expanding INSERT, ALTER, EXEC statements**

This feature saves much time for users as it allows them to type just available table names, views, procedures, functions or triggers in ALTER, INSERT, EXEC statement and expand the statement to the full template by pressing the Tab key.

Except the template, the type of column data will be generated in the comments along with the NOT NULL and ROWGUID properties. For datetime, a template for inserting time will be created. Also DEFAULT clause is generated if a default value is created for a table.

Go to definition*

This feature allows navigating from Code Editor straight to the object in Object Explorer (Server Explorer in Visual Studio). If you press F12 or select the corresponding item from the popup menu when the cursor is over the object identifier, the program will find the object in the Object Explorer tree.

Document Outline window*

The feature greatly simplifies navigation in large SQL documents. You can see the current document structure in the Document Outline window. Furthermore, a user can synchronize the structure with the text straight from the code by selecting Synchronize Document Outline from the context menu.

 

SQL Snippets*

The feature makes recurrent using of code fragments more comfortable and simple. With the help of the SQL snippets users can:

• Insert code templates by pressing Tab

• Add/edit templates with the help of Snippets Manager
• Add parameters to the template 

Export/Import settings wizard*

The wizard serves for quick and handy export of the tool's setting to a file and future usage of this file to import settings.

Ability to select different environments

A user has an opportunity to select different environments when installing dbForge SQL Complete.

Integration to Visual Studio

There is a possibility to integrate dbForge SQL Complete to the following versions of Visual Studio:

• Visual Studio 2008: Professional and Team System editions
• Visual Studio 2010: Professional, Premium, and Ultimate editions

See Also

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