SQL Express Manager as a replacement of Query Analyzer?
I just checked out the preview version of the new SQL Server management tool called SQL Express Manager. I had to go through a lot hoops to do that since this version requires different versions of SQL-SMO and the .NET Framework from what I have on my primary virtual PC (Beta2). I grabbed a blank, sysprepped virtual PC, installed all the prerequisites and about 45 minutes later I am looking at a tool that looks and behaves just like Query Analyzer (with a lot features still missing). Right now it doesn't do much, but it's a step in the right direction to give us back a great, lean and mean tool for running queries, and only running queries. See, I was never happy about merging QA and EM into one integrated tool. I like having a light-weight tool that loads in milliseconds, has a query window that takes up the whole screen, with tons of shortcuts that let me keep my hands on the keyboard all the time, etc. I tried to get used to using the same functionality in Workbench and later in SSMS, but it is just not the same experience. I am pretty sure that the tools team decided to get rid of QA based on at least some user feedback, I am just curious where that feedback came from because no DBA or developer I ever talked to was happy about this decision, and I recall at least 4 discussions with multiple people. Besides, during the Question/Answer part if Bill Ramos's webcast this week there were other people asking to get QA back.
So given how close this tool is to what QA does, here is my XM feature wishlist for the SQL Server Tools team:
1) Implement object scripting in XM
2) Implement script templates
3) Implement query plans (both estimated and actual)
After you implement all this, we will have a tool that's almost like the old QA, with some simple management functions for SQL Express on top of that. Then you can include XM as an optional feature of SQL 2005 and also make it available as a stand-alone download.