Azure Data Studio Update: New Features and Improvements

Azure Data Studio has just received a significant update, and we're excited to dive into the new features and improvements that come with it. The update includes support for SQL Server 2022, which is a major milestone for the platform.

One of the most notable features is the improved query performance, which is now up to 30% faster than before. This is due to the updated query engine that can handle complex queries more efficiently.

The update also includes a new feature called "Query Store", which provides a centralized location for storing and managing query performance data. This makes it easier to identify and troubleshoot performance issues.

With the new update, users can now easily connect to SQL Server 2022 instances, making it a great time to upgrade. The update is available for download now, and we recommend taking advantage of the new features and improvements.

In the latest Azure Data Studio update, you can now import and export DACPAC files, which is a huge time-saver for database developers.

Azure Data Studio also supports SQL Projects, although it's still in preview mode.

One of the most exciting features is Schema Compare, which is now available in Azure Data Studio.

If you're used to working with SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), you'll be happy to know that Azure Data Studio also supports import and export of DACPAC files.

Here's a quick rundown of the key features:

Azure Data Studio's support for Schema Compare is a game-changer for database developers, allowing you to easily compare and synchronize database schemas.

By using Azure Data Studio, you can take advantage of these features and streamline your database development workflow.

Azure Data Studio has a rich release history, with new versions being released regularly. The first version mentioned in the release history is Azure Data Studio 1.3.8, which was released on January 9, 2019.

If you're looking for the previous release of Azure Data Studio, you can find it in the release history. However, please note that all previous versions of Azure Data Studio are not supported.

Here's a list of some of the notable releases in the Azure Data Studio release history:

For users on macOS Catalina, it's worth noting that you may need to right-click Azure Data Studio and select "Open" to run the application.

Release Notes are a crucial part of any software's release history, and our product is no exception. They provide a detailed account of the changes made in each release.

Our first notable release was in July 2020, with version 1.20.0. This release brought several improvements to the software.

One of the notable changes was the introduction of a dark theme, which is now the default theme. This change was made to enhance user experience.

Here are some of the key changes made in the July 2020 release:

In November 2022, we released a hotfix with version 1.40.1. This release was made to address a specific issue.

The release date for this hotfix was November 23, 2022.

Azure Data Studio has a rich history of releases, with a steady stream of updates and hotfixes. The first release mentioned in the article is August 2024's 1.49.0, which included a hotfix.

The release history shows that Azure Data Studio has had a hotfix in most of its releases since November 2023, indicating a focus on stability and reliability. The most recent hotfix was included in the August 2024 release.

Here's a list of the last 5 releases of Azure Data Studio, showing the build number and release date:

Users on macOS Catalina need to right-click Azure Data Studio and select "Open" to run the application.

Azure Data Studio has a rich release history, with numerous updates and fixes rolled out over the years. The first release of Azure Data Studio was in July 2019, with version 1.9.0.

The release history is documented in detail, with each release listing the build number, release date, and whether it was a hotfix or not. For example, the November 2022 release had a hotfix, version 1.40.1, released on November 23, 2022.

One notable release was in July 2020, which included a hotfix, version 1.20.1, released on July 17, 2020. This release fixed two bugs, including one that affected the Object Explorer drag-and-drop table feature.

Here's a list of some notable releases and their corresponding hotfixes:

It's worth noting that some releases have known issues, such as the November 2020 release, which had a known issue with connection errors from the new Microsoft.Data.SqlClient v2.0.0. Users were able to resolve this issue by following the provided instructions.

Additionally, some releases have breaking changes, such as the release before 1.24.0, which had a breaking change in the Object Explorer due to changes related to Azure Synapse Analytics serverless SQL pool. To continue using the Object Explorer with Azure Synapse Analytics serverless SQL pool, users need to use Azure Data Studio 1.24.0 or later.

The first release of the software was version 1.0, which was launched in 2015.

Version 2.0 was a major update that included several new features and improvements, such as enhanced security and performance.

Version 2.0 was released in 2017, almost two years after the initial launch.

Version 3.0 was a significant upgrade that introduced a new user interface and improved compatibility with different operating systems.

The release of version 3.0 in 2020 marked a major milestone in the software's development.

Version 4.0, released in 2022, focused on bug fixes and minor feature enhancements.

Version 4.0 was the last major release before the software's transition to a new development model.

Azure Data Studio offers a wide range of features and functionality that make it a powerful tool for database management. It supports cross-platform DB management for Windows, macOS, and Linux with simple XCopy deployment.

The SQL editor in Azure Data Studio provides a modern, keyboard-focused coding experience with features like IntelliSense, keyword completion, and code snippets. This makes everyday tasks easier and more efficient.

Some of the key features of the SQL editor include multiple tab windows, a rich SQL editor, and the ability to run on-demand SQL queries and view results as text, JSON, or Excel.

Here are some of the key features and functionality of Azure Data Studio:

Azure Data Studio offers a wide range of features that make it a powerful tool for database management. One of the key features is cross-platform DB management for Windows, macOS, and Linux with simple XCopy deployment.

The platform also includes SQL Server Connection Management with Connection Dialog, Server Groups, Azure Integration, and Registered Servers. This makes it easy to manage multiple servers and databases from a single interface.

Azure Data Studio's Object Explorer supports schema browsing and contextual command execution, allowing you to easily navigate and manage your database objects. The Object Explorer is a valuable tool for anyone who needs to work with databases on a regular basis.

The Query Results Viewer in Azure Data Studio is another key feature, offering an advanced data grid that supports large result sets, export to JSON, CSV, Excel, query plan, and charting. This makes it easy to view and analyze your data in a variety of formats.

Here are some of the key features of Azure Data Studio's Query Editor:

Azure Data Studio also offers a range of other features, including a Modern light-weight shell with theming, user settings, full-screen support, integrated terminal, and numerous other features. This makes it a great choice for anyone who needs a powerful and customizable database management tool.

Azure Data Studio's extensibility points allow you to enhance its functionality.

You can extend the base installation to make Azure Data Studio more suitable for your needs.

Azure Data Studio supports extension authoring, enabling you to create your own extensions.

To learn more about extensibility, check out the Extensibility section.

Not all Visual Studio Code (VS Code) extensions are compatible with Azure Data Studio.

Azure Data Studio update has made it easier to integrate with other tools, such as SQL Server and Azure SQL Database.

One of the key benefits of this update is the ability to connect to multiple data sources at once, including SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, and even on-premises data sources.

This integration allows for a more streamlined workflow, enabling users to work with data from multiple sources in a single interface.

With the new update, users can also take advantage of improved query performance and better support for large datasets.

Azure Data Studio is a versatile tool that can run on various operating systems. Windows is one of the supported operating systems, with versions 10 and later being compatible.

You can also run Azure Data Studio on Windows Server, specifically versions 2016, 2019, and 2022.

macOS users are in luck, as Azure Data Studio supports the latest release and the two previous versions, as long as they have Apple security update support.

Linux users have options too, with Debian 9+, RHEL 7+, SLES 15, and Ubuntu 18.04+ being supported.

Here's a breakdown of the supported operating systems:

It's essential to note that incremental versions within a major operating system release may no longer be supported by the operating system. Be sure to consult the documentation for your operating system to ensure you have received applicable updates.

If you're trying to decide between Azure Data Studio and SQL Server Management Studio, it's essential to consider their feature sets. Azure Data Studio is ideal for users who are mostly editing or executing queries, need to chart and visualize result sets quickly, and can execute most administrative tasks via the integrated terminal.

For users who need to do complex administrative or platform configuration, SQL Server Management Studio is the way to go. It offers advanced features like security management, performance tuning advisors, and database diagrams.

One key difference between the two tools is their operating system compatibility. Azure Data Studio can run on macOS and Linux, while SQL Server Management Studio is primarily designed for Windows. If you need to work on a Mac or Linux machine, Azure Data Studio is a better choice.

Here's a comparison of the two tools:

Ultimately, the choice between Azure Data Studio and SQL Server Management Studio depends on your specific needs and workflow. If you're looking for a lightweight tool for editing and executing queries, Azure Data Studio is a great option. But if you need advanced features and complex administrative capabilities, SQL Server Management Studio is the better choice.

Azure Data Studio integrates with various tools, making it a versatile platform for data management.

Azure Data Studio support for Azure Synapse Analytics is currently in preview.

Azure Data Studio also integrates with SQL Server 2019 Big Data.

This integration with other tools makes Azure Data Studio a powerful tool for data management.

Azure Data Studio support for Azure SQL Managed Instance is also currently in preview.