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Manage Multiple Databases
by Andy Clark

October 11, 2004

Computer Associates' (CA's) Unicenter SQL-Station 7.0 provides the tools you need to create and maintain database objects on SQL Server, Oracle, and DB2. Its tools for browsing databases enable you to view data, users, privileges, and table definitions, as well as SQL components. Within the table definitions, you'll not only see column names and types, but also primary keys, foreign keys, triggers, indices, and all table constraints. It also supports SQL components for stored procedures, views, triggers, and Oracle functions (see Figure 1). In other words, SQL-Station brings together the information you normally use during database application development.

SQL-Station provides a number of tools to help you develop on SQL. You can set bookmarks, collapse procedures, and execute code directly within the editor as well as use the normal editing features. The editor is fully integrated with a SQL debugger that supports breakpoints (including conditional breakpoints), and it shows all variables in a separate display. The debugger also can display the call stack and dependency tries.

SQL-Station includes wizards for creating database objects, such as queries and indexes within a graphical environment; a SQL profiler; and Oracle-specific tools for tuning Oracle SQL. It also provides several tools for generating and querying XML documents.

I found CA's customer support knowledgeable and helpful, but a little on the slow side to respond. I encountered a few problems while using SQL-Station. The installation procedure was unforgiving when I attempted to set up my initial connections, but I had no problem creating those connections later. Also, I was unable to view tables with some SQL Server data types within the SQL-Station data browser. However, I don't consider either problem a major limitation.

Note that the pricing for this product varies depending on the configuration you use. I reviewed the full suite, which starts at $5,000 and goes up to $8,000 with a three-year maintenance contract. The base installation is $695 and doesn't include maintenance or debugging options.

SQL-Station is a powerful tool for developers working on multiple databases. While it doesn't do everything a database administrator (DBA) requires, such as handle backup and restore procedures, maintenance plans, tablespace management, or other DBA functions, it does have everything you need to develop and tune SQL. I'll also note that it was a bit sluggish on my 2.7 GHz Celeron processor, so I recommend installing it on a powerful workstation. However, all in all, if you find yourself developing for more than one database platform, SQL-Station might be the ideal tool for you.

Unicenter SQL-Station 7.0
Computer Associates
Web: www.ca.com
Phone: 888-423-1000; 631-342-6000
Price: $695-$8,000
Quick Facts: Provides a single environment for managing and developing with SQL Server and Oracle databases.
Pros: Great tool for the developer working with multiple platforms.
Cons: Installations and error messages not completely intuitive.

About the Author
Andy Clark is a consultant with iGate Inc. in the Richmond, Va., area. He holds PMP, MCSD, and SJCP certifications. Reach him at .