DbVisualizer vs. Toad Data Point

Whenever you have to access data sources from more than one database engine provider, you should consider using DbVisualizer for the task. Switching between multiples IDE consumes time and resources (memory), and you also need to learn menus, shortcuts, etc., for each IDE, while using DbVisualizer allows you to work consistently no matter which database engine you are connecting. You can use it to simply navigate through data structures, write SQL sentences or even create new tables and views, develop stored procedures, etc.

Incentivized

Appropriate for general querying and some DBA work. It's the universal least-offensive solution for most environments - not best of breed, but not subject to unusual/extensive requirements. It just works. On the other hand, some functionality (e.g. data import/export, snippets) are perfunctory and minimal and seem to be either difficult or impossible to automate. If you need to streamline those operations, you'll be forced to rely on third-party solutions that mostly work on top of (instead of with) TOAD.

Incentivized

• Timed queries that add their result to the result grid for every execution are helpful. Creation of graphs also extremely helpful.
• Query history and auto-recover feature makes sure we don't lose our queries.
• Actions like exporting grids to Excel or other tools is a very easy task.

Incentivized

• Export data into excel.
• Export data into excel using a pivot table functionality.
• Navigation between windows is intuitive and easy to understand.
• Good for SQL novices and experts alike.

Incentivized

• does not handle lost connections well (specially after stopping a running query) (mysql). eg. after hitting stop, and then hitting run again, it can sometimes look like its running the query, but it isn't actually!
• filtering on databases window is clunky (why the need for filtering certain object types at a time? just filter everything, google style)
• altering table, adding columns (NOT to the end of the table's columns, but earlier) is not supported (mysql) even though the db supports it (alter table add column BEFORE..)

Incentivized

• The workflow is a relatively new feature. Quest is adding additional functionality and the workflows are useful now.
• Would be nice if the 'Automate' feature was a bit easier to use.
• Would be nice if some of the SQL Editor features in the traditional interface worked better in the new workflow interface (although, these are being fixed with each release).
• Would be nice if there were fewer releases.

Incentivized

We never had problems with it. It is able to connect to all data sources (Oracle, Informix, DB2, SQL Server) that we currently use.

Incentivized

Menus are simple and well organized. You can use the same shortcuts no matter which database engine you are connecting to. Configuration of data source connections is simple while keeping all required options.

Incentivized

I find Toad Data Point easy to use for both the novice and the experienced business analyst. If all you desire is to access data and create spreadsheets...this is a snap. Toad Data Point actually has cool data analysis features built into it. The newer workflow interface makes automating steps a snap

Incentivized

DbVisualizer provides a good value when compared against other 3rd party products with similar features as well as products with similar functionality made by the database vendors. The user interface is good and user friendly / intuitive and easy to learn. It doesn't take too long for an experienced DBA / database developer to come up to speed.

Although Toad and UltraEdit are both great products, from an SQL standpoint Toad is a much better editor and troubleshooter.

Incentivized

• The institution is of the governmental type, therefore we do not measure the commercial impact of using this tool
• The impact on the benefit of the population is always positive with tools that streamline our processes, and DbVisualizer is one of the best

Incentivized

• It is the least common denominator - not particularly optimized for our environment or workflows.
• Hangs or slowdowns add anywhere from 5% - 7% for projects utilizing large/complicated data setts. (This could be due to other IT-imposed constraints and not entirely due to TOAD.)
• Trying to perform some operations requires reading documentation and experimenting in order to figure out the TOAD-specific approaches and commands.
• It just works (when we understand it). Updates don't break things and things don't suddenly start behaving differently. Best of all, we don't mysteriously lose functionality.

Incentivized