The Schema Browser functions as a navigational aid for database administration and query editing. It also assists in organizing SSH Servers (see the SSH Browser for more information on expanding and collapsing SSH Servers in the tree). Server Groups, servers, and connections can be renamed and dragged and dropped to organize them. Context sensitive menus are accessible inside the Schema Browser through right-clicking on schema objects or keyboard shortcut (ALT + DOWN ARROW) once an object is selected. The Schema Browser can be docked or undocked as an individual panel as part of the Workspace and Docking Framework of Aqua Data Studio. A tree is used to display database server objects, allowing for rapid location of schema objects. When an object is selected in the Schema Browser, the Detail View displays contents or status. Icons for database servers change to indicate whether server connections are connected (green triangle), disconnected (orange vertical bars) or failed (red block) in the Schema Browser. The icons for server type also vary based on if they are Production (gold gear), Development (gray nodes) or Test (blue bug) servers.
To quickly find an object in the Schema Browser, bring the Schema Browser into focus, then begin typing. The folder or file with the associated name will select as you type. To search for wildcards, begin by typing *. For a more advanced search, use the Object Search feature. The Explore right-click context menu item, when used on a server group or scripts container in the Schema Browser, launches the operating system's navigation directly to the selected item.
Below is an explanation of the various elements of the Schema Browser in the screenshot.
- Schema Browser Panel Bar: This panel shows databases and schema objects, within a collapsible tree. The panel title can be clicked to see various docking options that control how Aqua Data Studio’s interface is displayed.
- Server Group: Server Groups are containers for registered servers and can be named and rearranged as desired. Dragging a server group moves it from one place to another in the Schema Browser. Servers can be dragged from one Server Group to another and Server Groups can be nested, just like file system directories. Clicking the + next to a Server Group expands or collapses it, revealing its contents.
- Database Server: Database types have different icons for their connection status and database type, letting you distinguish between development and production quickly. Server icons with green triangles on them indicate currently connected servers. Server icons with yellow rectangles indicate disconnected servers. You give servers their names when first registering them. They can be renamed at any time by editing their Server Properties. Database Servers can be dragged from one group or another for organizational purposes.
- Scripts Container: When a database allows, you can store database scripts within the server’s Scripts Container. The Scripts Container can be part of a version control repository. Double-clicking a file in the Scripts Container automatically opens it in a query window with the specified connection set for it in the Server Registration Properties. Right Clicking a file in the Scripts Container also allows opening it in a new query window.
- Database: These gold cylinders represent databases within servers. Databases can be Created and Dropped from within the Schema Browser. Right-clicking on objects and databases brings up different menus depending on the object clicked, including Script Object to Window As, Script Object to File As, Tools for Importing and Exporting, Object Search, Schema Script Generator, Server Script Generator and ER Diagram Generator.
- Database Object: All database objects can be viewed, their contents are displayed in a tree. The objects within a database vary based on vendor and version.
- Database Tables: Database Objects each have their own icons. This one is a database table.
- Database Table Information: Displays Columns, Indexes, Constraints, Dependencies and Triggers and other information as containers within a table when available (these vary based on database vendor and version).
- Servers and Scripts Tab: Clicking these tabs swaps between the Schema Browser and Files Browser.
- Docking Options and Hiding Panel Buttons:
displays various docking options.
hides the visible panel.
- Schema Browser Scroll Bar and Border: When the Servers List expands beyond the window horizontally or vertically, scroll bars appear. The width of the Schema Browser can be resized by dragging the right side of the pane.
- Full Database Object Path: When an item in the Schema Browser is selected, its full path displays in the Full Database Object Path. This is useful when the objects and containers in the Schema Browser are expanded, letting you determine what object is selected without having to search and change your view of the browser trees.
- Object Details: When opened, this panel displays the contents of the currently selected Database Object. This is useful for viewing contents without having to expand the items within the Schema Browser.
When a scripts directory has been set within a server registration, its contents indicate association with a Source Control or Version Control repository with file status icon overlays: up to date (green circle with a checkmark), out of date (red exclamation point), conflicted (gold triangle with exclamation point), or unversioned (no overlay).
For more on how Aqua Data Studio saves connections settings and how to share them, see Configuration & Connection Files.
External Databases, Schemas, and Tables
Amazon Redshift
External Databases: An external database is stored in the Amazon Redshift Spectrum and is created when creating an external schema.
External Schemas: An Amazon Redshift external schema references an external database in an external data catalog.
External Tables: Amazon Redshift Spectrum uses external tables to query data stored in Amazon S3.
An external schema is created using the current database connection owner. External schemas and tables will not display in the schema tree if the database connection changes. The schema tree displays only what was created with the current connection. You can hover over External Schemas and/or External Tables to see which database you are connected to.
Both External Schemas and External Tables have the Create, Drop, Properties and Script Objects options when you right-click on them.
Additionally, External Tables have the option to Alter them, where you can visually edit the tables.
