PostgreSQL is a powerful open-source object-relational database system. The world-known companies have chosen PostgreSQL due to its high reliability and performance.
There are a lot of efficient tools to work with PostgreSQL that help facilitate and automate the processes, improve user experience, and increase the capabilities of the database system.
dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL 2.3 and SQLGate 9.9 are the ones of the most cutting-edge tools.
dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL Overview
dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL is a universal multifunctional PostgreSQL GUI client that allows for database development and management. It offers a wide variety of features to work with PostgreSQL, like creating and executing queries, working with codes and tables, etc.
SQLGate Overview
SQLGate is an integrated database management and development solution that works with various database systems, including PostgreSQL. It provides a lot of features that enforce data processing.
In this article, we will compare these PostgreSQL IDEs in terms of their features and convenience.
PG Database Connectivity
Here, the functionality of both tools is rich enough. They provide support for Unicode, SSH, and SSL. Additionally, you can set properties for the database connection under the connection category. The data compression option is also provided by both IDEs. However, dbForge supports cloud connections, unlike SQLGate.
Visual Query Profiler
Here, both IDEs include such a feature, as a visual query plan in the form of a tree for easier review. In addition, dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL provides a query execution diagram that shows the cost of all operations. With this tool, it is also easy to compare profiling results as the differences are highlighted for easier optimization.
You can view the session statistics displayed in a user interface and get the top operations list that shows the most expensive operations.
Data Analysis
This feature is better implemented in dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL. Both IDEs support data and chart reports, but only dbForge allows to work with table data representing Parent-Child dependencies (Master-Detail Browser) and to generate data reports. With this tool, you can also build charts using the Report Wizard and design pivot tables. It has command-line support for automating report generation and distribution.
Data Editor
Both dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL and SQLGate provide such important functionality as viewing, sorting, filtering, and grouping the PostgreSQL data. To split large result sets, you can use paginated data browsing and quickly find what you need. Manual search is no longer a problem as the IDEs support auto-search mode. For easier work with databases, the tools offer graphical card view mode, where you can not only view and edit the data but also print them.
You can easily switch between the card view and the grid view mode. DbForge provides cached updates mode which allows you to alter any database object and then the changes are accumulated and applied explicitly. Additionally, with dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL, it is easy to edit the data referencing other tables with a foreign key lookup editor.
Database Explorer
This feature is almost the same in both dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL and SQLGate. They allow multiple database connections, asynchronous connection to a server with an option to cancel the operation. You can easily navigate through objects and get detailed object information and data browsing in the Object Viewer window.
The IDEs offer dependency tree browsing for each object and a quick script generation for the selected object: CREATE, SELECT, INSERT, EXECUTE, etc. It’s easy to work with the selected objects as the tools support their including/excluding by filter.
Multi-selection for batch operations with objects is provided, too.
Data import/ Export:
SQLGate it supports this feature only in such file formats as CSV, Text, XLS, XLSX, DBF, access to MDB, SQL, while dbForge offers importing to and exporting from a wide range of formats: CSV, XML, Text, XLS, XLSX, PDF, DBF, HTML, RTF, access to MDB (Access), ODBC, SQL, JSON, Google sheets. In addition, dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL provides simultaneous data export from multiple tables. It also gives the possibility to create and configure bat-files which, when launched, start the import/export process.
PostgreSQL Editing and Execution
In terms of SQL coding and query execution, the functionality of SQLGate and dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL is almost the same. To enhance efficiency while working with databases, both IDEs provide customizable SQL formatting and automatic syntax check. It allows avoiding errors while executing queries.
dbForge Studio makes the process of coding processing much faster with code snippets – the list of the most widely used code fragments suggested by the tool.
Code Completion
This feature is almost equally represented in both, dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL and SQLGate. dbForge offers name suggestions for major objects, smart filtering of the suggestion list, and a semi-transparent view of the suggestion box. Plus, it is possible to recognize individual words in CamelCase and auto-generate table aliases.
Unlike dbForge, SQLGate doesn’t provide a column picker for quick list building and database context detection.
User Interface
Both tools provide rich user settings, support different UI skins, syntax highlight customization and various features configuration. The groups of documents can be tabbed. Additionally, you can customize toolbars and use the styled icons by default. dbForge, unlike SQLGate, supports multiple shortcut schemes with full shortcut customization and customizable window layout.
Conclusion
We have compared two IDEs, the Devart dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL 2.3 and SQLGate 9.9.8 that allow to perform various database operations and interactions in terms of their feature set and efficiency.
Both tools offer a wide range of features that make work with PostgreSQL databases easier and faster, including Data Reports, Data Export/Import, Code Completion, etc. As a result of comparison, we came to the conclusion that dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL has much better performance with such functions as Data Analysis and Edition, Data Export/ Import, Visual Query Profile and Schema/ Data comparison, and Synchronisation. In its turn, SQLGate offers editors for some individual objects and other features like Query Builder, and Database Diagram.
In general, both IDEs offer wide functionality for working with PostgreSQL databases. Having compared the two tools, the feature set of the Devart dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL gives more possibilities for PostgreSQL databases design, management and administration.