The new Visual Query builder allows users to graphically select tables, views and relationships to build queries. The user selects the tables and views desired in the query, maps the JOIN relationships between the tables, and then selects the columns needed in the results of the query. The user may then query for the results or copy the generated SQL statement to the Query Analzyer to manually work on it.

The Diagram Panel allows the user to select tables and views. User may then drag-n-drop columns from the source table to the target table to create JOIN representations. The user may right-click on the JOIN link and select properties to customize the JOIN.

The Columns Panel allows the user to customize the column parameters of the query. The column name provides a combo box for the user to select a column from a list based off of the selected tables in the Diagram Panel. The alias column allows the user to define an optional alias name for the column.

Panel Columns:
  Name: The name of the column or expression
  Alias: The alias name used for the column or expression
  Table: The name of the table
  Output: Determines if the column or expression is used in the SELECT statment
  Sort Type: Determines whether column is sorted and in what direction.
  Sort Order: Determines the sort level of the column
  Criteria: Criteria statement used in the WHERE clause of the statement
  Or ...: Defines optional criterias appended as OR criterias

The SQL Panel provides a read-only SQL representation of the Diagram Panel. The user may copy or save this SQL statement for later use.

The Results Panel provides a grid results equivalent to the grid results in the Query Analyzer window.