Building Database Projects
A database script project is an organized set of scripts, connection information, and templates that are all associated with a database or one part of a database. Microsoft SQL Server 2005 provides the SQL Server Management Studio for administering and designing SQL Server databases within the context of a script project. SQL Server Management Studio includes designers, editors, guides and wizards to assist users in developing, deploying and maintaining databases.
SQL Server Management Studio
SQL Server Management Studio is a suite of administrative tools for managing the components belonging to SQL Server. This integrated environment allows users to perform a variety of tasks, such as backing up data, editing queries, and automating common functions within a single interface.
Tools that are now incorporated into the SQL Server Management Studio include:
- Code Editor is a rich script editor for writing and editing scripts. The Code Editor replaces the Query Analyzer included in previous releases of SQL Server. SQL Server Management Studio provides four versions of the Code Editor; the SQL Query Editor, MDX Query Editor, XML Query Editor, and SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition Query Editor.
- Object Explorer for locating, modifying, scripting or running objects belonging to instances of SQL Server.
- Template Explorer for locating and scripting templates.
- Solution Explorer for organizing and storing related scripts as parts of a project.
- Properties Window for displaying the current properties of selected objects.
SQL Server Management Studio also provides new functionality, including:
- Disconnected access. You can write and edit scripts without connecting to an instance of SQL Server.
- Scripting from any dialog box. You can create a script from any dialog box so that you can read, modify, store and reuse the scripts after you create them.
- Non-modal dialog boxes. When you access a UI dialog box you can browse other resources in SQL Server Management Studio without closing the dialog box.
Solutions and Script Projects
Solution Explorer is a utility to store and reopen database solutions. Solutions organize related script projects and files. Script projects store SQL Server script files, SQL templates, connection information and other miscellaneous files. When a script is saved in a script project, users are able to:
- Maintain version control on scripts.
- Store results options with a script.
- Organize related scripts in a single script project.
- Save connection information with scripts.
The Solution Explorer is a tool for developers who are creating and reusing scripts that are related to the same project. If a similar task is required later, you can use group of scripts that were stored in a project. If you have created applications with Visual Studio or Microsoft Visual Studio .NET you will find the Solution Explorer very familiar.
A solution consists of one or more script projects. A project consists of one or more scripts or connections. A project may also include non-script files.
See Also
Other Resources
SQL Server Management Studio and Business Intelligence Development Studio
Introducing SQL Server Management Studio
Writing, Analyzing, and Editing Scripts with SQL Server Management Studio
Developing Solutions and Projects in SQL Server Management Studio