Introducing SQL Server Management Studio

Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio, new in Microsoft SQL Server 2005, is an integrated environment for accessing, configuring, managing, administering, and developing all components of SQL Server. SQL Server Management Studio combines a broad group of graphical tools with a number of rich script editors to provide access to SQL Server to developers and administrators of all skill levels.

SQL Server Management Studio combines the features of Enterprise Manager, Query Analyzer, and Analysis Manager, included in previous releases of SQL Server, into a single environment. In addition, SQL Server Management Studio works with all components of SQL Server such as Reporting Services, Integration Services, SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition, and Notification Services. Developers get a familiar experience, and database administrators get a single comprehensive utility that combines easy-to-use graphical tools with rich scripting capabilities.

To access SQL Server Management Studio

• On the taskbar, click Start, point to All Programs, point to Microsoft SQL Server 2005, and then click SQL Server Management Studio.

Note

By default, SQL Server Management Studio is installed in C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Tools\Binn\VSShell\Common7\IDE.

Note

SQL Server Management Studio presents dates formatted with the Microsoft Windows Regional and Language Options in effect when SQL Server Management Studio was started. Restart SQL Server Management Studio to reflect newer settings.

With SQL Server Management Studio, the database developer and administrator can develop or administer any of the components of the Database Engine.

In This Section

• Features in SQL Server Management Studio
  Lists the rich feature set included in SQL Server Management Studio.

• Tool Windows in SQL Server Management Studio
  Describes the tools that are components of SQL Server Management Studio.

• Understanding SQL Server Management Studio Windows Management
  Describes how to manage the windows displayed in SQL Server Management Studio.

• Administering Servers with SQL Server Management Studio
  Describes how to administer instances of SQL Server.

• Using Registered Servers to Manage Servers
  Describes how to manage multiple instances of SQL Server in SQL Server Management Studio using the Registered Servers tool.

• Connect to Any SQL Server Component from SQL Server Management Studio
  Describes how to connect to instances of SQL Server and how to perform certain tasks without a connection.

• Using Object Explorer
  Describes the features of the Object Explorer.

• User Assistance in SQL Server Management Studio
  Describes how to configure user assistance, such as Help, in SQL Server Management Studio.

• Writing, Analyzing, and Editing Scripts with SQL Server Management Studio
  Describes how to use the rich editing environment in SQL Server Management Studio to edit Transact-SQL, MDX, DMX and XML/A scripts.

• Editing SQLCMD Scripts with Query Editor
  Describes the capabilities and limitations of using Query Editor in SQLCMD mode.

• Color Coding in Code Editors
  Describes the meaning of the color coding in Code Editor windows.

• SQL Server Management Studio Keyboard Shortcuts
  Lists the keyboard shortcuts available in the SQL Server Management Studio.

• Customizing Menus and Shortcut Keys
  Describes how to create custom menus and shortcuts.

• Developing Solutions and Projects in SQL Server Management Studio
  Describes how to develop script projects and solutions.

• Using SQL Server Management Studio Templates
  Describes how to use the SQL Server Management Studio templates and how to create custom templates.

• Property Pages in SQL Server Management Studio
  Describes the new property window layout in SQL Server Management Studio.

• SQL Server Administrative Tools
  Lists the SQL Server 2000 tools and their SQL Server 2005 equivalents.

• Backward Compatibility with SQL Server 2000 Tools
  Describes how tools from previous releases of SQL Server work with SQL Server 2005.

• Migrating from Query Analyzer to SQL Server Management Studio
  Describes differences between SQL Query Analyzer and the query portion of SQL Server Management Studio.

See Also

Other Resources

SQL Server Management Studio How-to Topics
How to: View Server Properties (SQL Server Management Studio)
How to: Connect to SQL Server from Windows Vista

Help and Information

Getting SQL Server 2005 Assistance