SQL Server Data Tools for Visual Studio

Course details

Data and databases are an important component in most applications. While developers have access to a wide choice of data sources, Microsoft SQL Server remains a popular relational database choice. In this course, Walt Ritscher looks at the Visual Studio tooling available for creating, modifying, and using SQL Server databases. He shows how to connect to databases and work with data on enterprise servers, in the Azure cloud, and even to the special LocalDB developer databases included in Visual Studio. With the Visual Studio tools, developers can perform necessary tasks without needing the admin-focused SQL Server Management tool on their developer computer. Essentially, Visual Studio removes unnecessary features like admin tools, and focuses on tools that are useful for developers, like database and schema comparison tools. Join Walt in this course to learn to develop, build, test, and publish your database from a source-controlled project, just like you develop your application code.

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - Work with your SQL Server databases from Visual Studio
02 - What you should know
03 - Further lessons and examples
04 - The programming setup and configuration
05 - How to access the sample code on GitHub

1. Overview

06 - Why developers need SSDT
07 - DACPAC and BACPAC files
08 - SQL Server and Azure Database versions
09 - Why LocalDB is essential for developers
10 - Connected and disconnected workflows with SSDT
11 - Install the SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT)

2. Connect to a Database

12 - The SQL Server Express course databases
13 - The Azure SQL course databases
14 - SQL Server Object Explorer (SSOE)
15 - The LocalDB named instances
16 - Connect to network or cloud SQL database
17 - Create Visual Studio data project and use disconnected workflow
18 - Connect to SQL Server Express in Server Explorer
19 - Use logical name for readability

3. SQL Server Object Explorer

20 - Copy database files
21 - Reconnect the databases
22 - Tour the Table Designer
23 - Add a column to a table
24 - Update the connected database with table modifications
25 - Handling errors in table updates
26 - Understand the Power Buffer
27 - Update multiple edits to the connected database

4. Work with Table Data

28 - View data in the table data grid
29 - Sort data in the table data grid
30 - Filter data in the table data grid
31 - Edit data in the table data grid
32 - Add and delete rows in the table data grid

5. More Table Operations

33 - Add and remove tables
34 - PRIMARY KEY and other column settings
35 - FOREIGN keys and tables
36 - Add CHECK constraints

6. Queries, Views, and Stored Procedures

37 - Use the query window
38 - Write a SELECT query
39 - Write a CREATE TABLE query
40 - Work with existing views
41 - Create a custom view
42 - Work with existing stored procedures
43 - Call a stored procedure with parameters
44 - Debug a stored procedure
45 - Create a custom stored procedure

7. Compare Databases

46 - Prepare to compare databases
47 - Create a Data Compare session
48 - Analyze the Data Compare information
49 - Update the data in the target database
50 - Create a Schema Compare session
51 - Analyze Schema Compare for object definitions changes
52 - Update the schema in the target database
53 - Preventing data loss in a schema update

8. SQL Server Data Project

54 - Databases and the project lifecycle
55 - Understand the data project template
56 - Create a data project
57 - Examine the SQL Server object types
58 - Add items to project
59 - Import schema from a .dacpac file
60 - Import schema from a connected database
61 - Change a table or other data item
62 - Build the project
63 - Auto-mount the database on project open
64 - Auto-populate the data items on project debug
65 - Refactor a database object
66 - Compare the data project with other databases
67 - Create snapshot DACPAC files

Conclusion

68 - Next steps