I've been using SQL Server since version 6.5 and I've always been a bit amazed at the fact that the tools seem to be targeted to DBAs rather than developers. I liked the simplicity and speed of the Query Analyzer for example, but hated the built-in editor, which was really no better than a syntax coloring-capable Notepad. Now that we have Management Studio the management part seems a bit better but from a developer standpoint the tools is even worse. Visual Studio's excellent text editor... without a way to customize keyboard bindings!? Don't get me started on how unusable is the tree-based management hierarchy. Why can't I re-root the tree on a list of stored procs for example the way the Enterprise Manager used to allow? Now I have a treeview that needs to be scrolled horizontally, which makes it eminently useless.

The SQL server support in Visual Studio is fantastic for working with stored procedures and functions, but it's terrible as a general ad hoc data query tool.

I've tried various tools over the years but invariably they seem to focus on the management side and shortchange the developer in me. I just want something with basic admin capabilities, good keyboard support and requisite DDL functionality (ideally something like the Query Analyzer). At this point I'm seriously thinking of using vim+sqlcmd and a console... I'm that desperate :)

Those of you who work day in and day out with SQL Server and Visual Studio... do you find the tools to be adequate? Have you ever wished they were better and if you have found something better, could you share please?

Thanks!