I looked at 2 plugins SQLExplorer and Data Tools Platform. They do similar things so you shouldn’t need both. While its possible to use both at the same time , I suggest you use one or the other and not both since it will become confusing since they don't share configuration information.

SQLExplorer

http://eclipsesql.sourceforge.net/ eclipse update site

http://www.sqlexplorer.org/screenshots.php

This has been around for while. No trouble installing or using (up in 5 minutes) and works fast.

Positive

Has a configurable query limit so wont overrun heap memory

Has Sql History so you can reference previouisly ran queries, time , date etc.

Has export to CSV, XLS and HTML (NICE!)

Generate SELECT statement which puts all columns in instead of select *

Generates Create Table DDL

Ctrl+F go to column in results view , helpful with results with many columns

Negative

8 MG size

Didn’t see a way to edit individual row data

No export to SQL way which is used to duplicate rows or move data between dbs

Export doesn’t include row headers

Query results

Database Detail

Table Detail

Data Tools Platform

http://www.eclipse.org/datatools/

I tired this first by the way , but had trouble installing initially, woudlnt work properly from the update url, then got null pointer execeptinos and couldn’t ever see sql results.  This seems to be the more heavy official(ish) Eclipse Plugin but I had trouble getting it working, it may have just been my environment not sure. I disabled the DTP plugins and then reinstalled them.

Positive

Seems like will be more integrated into the WTP stuff than other options as its on the main Eclipse Site

Has Sql History so you can reference previouisly ran queries, time , date etc.

Export to Text, XML, HTML, CSV

Negative

Seems more immature as of right now

Initially hard to install

Slower performance on some things

Could not get configurable query limit on the queries to work (if you do select * on glopen with no limit get heap overflow)

The model for running queries isnt that intuitive, you have to create sql files (the SQL Explorer was more notepad / toad like)

Export doesn’t include row headers

Query Results

Some older articles which discuss these differences between the two plugins although they are a little out of date.

http://bark.metacasa.net/2006/07/18/database-explorer-versus-data-source-explorer/
http://www.devx.com/Java/Article/32829/1954?pf=true

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Posted by Robert Sinner on November 3, 2007 6:49:00 PM PDT #