SQL Server 2008 Tools

Tool Windows
Facilitate the development and modification of database objects, as well as effective management of SQL server.

Object Explorer * Explore database objects on a server. * It is a tool used to initiate most database mgt tasks. * It is arranged in a standard tree view with different groups of objects nested in folders * There is ability to create scripts based on actions performed in the graphical designs because of SQL server mgt studio is exposed through object explorer.

Code Editor * It provides the ability to open, edit, or create new queries.
Types of queries supported by the editor are- * Db engine queries * Analysis Services MDX Queries * Analysis Services DMX Queries * Analysis Services XMLA Queries * SQL Server Compact

It is essentially a word processor. It provides color coding of syntax, multiple query windows, and partial code execution when you highlight the desired code and click on the execute button or press.

Solution Explorer
Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio provides two containers for managing database projects such as scripts, queries, data connections, and files: solutions and projects. * A project is a set of files, plus related metadata such as connection information. The files in a project depend on which Microsoft SQL Server component the project is for. For example, a SQL Server project may contain data definition language (DDL) queries defining objects in a database. * A solution includes one or more projects, plus files and metadata that help define the solution as a whole.

Solution Explorer is a component of Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio that allows you to view and manage items and perform item management tasks in a solution or a project. It also allows you to use the SQL Server Management Studio editors to work on items associated with one of the script projects.

If no solution is currently open, the mgt studio will create a new one.

Properties Window * It is linked to the Solution Explorer * It displays the properties for the currently selected item in the Solution Explorer window * Editable properties will be bolded

Registered Services * Addition of a new server registrations is allowed from the context menu exposed by right clicking on any blank area in the registered servers window or any other server group name. * Creation of server groups is also allowed * To open registered servers window click on view menu and select registered servers or press ctrl + alt + G

Bookmark Window * Made visible from view menu and is enabled when working with any SQL Server script type. * Bookmark is to mark a location in the script * Any number of bookmarks can be created and then renamed. * If the script is a part of a solution, the bookmarks are saved with the solution in the solutions Options file * It can be added to a line by pressing ctrl + k twice. * Navigating bookmarks is easy * To move Previous press ctrl + k and ctrl + p * To move Next press ctrl + k and ctrl + n * Bookmarks can also be organized into multiple folders for each project.

Toolbox
It consists of maintenance plan tasks that can be dragged and dropped into maintenance plan subtasks using the maintenance plan designer.

Error List
Descriptive information about the error is provided in the error list window with line and position number in the query text

Object Explorer Details * It replaces the summary view from SQL server 2005. * It is a great deal like list or detail view in windows explorer. * It is very useful reporting feature * It allows the rendering of various servers and database reports. * The report feature is enabled by selecting report options in the context menu after right clicking on an object in object explorer or in object explorer windows that has reports associated with it

Web Browsers * This Web browser allows you to browse URLs, and view MSDN Library help topics without leaving SQL Server Management Studio. * We can search or ask questions without having to switch back and forth between mgt studio and internet explorer * It can be done using address bar at the top of the window to enter url, or web browser search button can be used to take you to the msdn home page. * It can be accessed by pointing to Web Browser on the View menu, and then clicking Show Browser.(or by pressing ctrl+alt+r)

Template Explorer * It presents templates to quickly construct code in the Code Explorer. * The templates are grouped by the type of code being created, which in turn makes finding the right templates fast. * CTRL + ALT + T * SQL Server provides the user the option to choose from any of the 3 families of Templates: * SQL Server * Analysis Services * SQL Compact

* The template scripts can be opened by being dragged onto an open query window. If no query window is open , the template can be opened by double clicking with a mouse using the edit menu or right clicking on a context menu all of which cause a new query window to open * When using a template, one can modify the text directory in the query editor, * Placeholders in the templates can be replaced using the option “specify values for template parameters”

Toolbars * SQL server Mgt studio includes 14 configured toolbars that contain features from various menus. * Each can be hidden or displays using view menu * The existing toolbars can be customized to display only the buttons that are most often used * New toolbar can be created that has only the commands you typically used.

Database Diagram Toolbar * This toolbar is used for diagramming * It is also used for modifying or creating database objects from within diagram interface

Debug toolbar
It includes several tools useful for debugging projects in SQL server management studio that let you step through long queries to help Identify potential program areas

Debug location toolbar It display threads and stag frame information's about the current command been executed in the debug window

Help toolbar
It provides easy mechanism for consulting online help particles while using management studio

Other toolbars * Queries designer toolbar * Standard toolbar * Table designer toolbar * Text editor toolbar * View designer toolbar * Etc …

Source Control

What is source control

* Source control refers to a system in which a central piece of server software stores and tracks file versions, and also controls access to files. * A typical source control system includes a source control provider and two or more source control clients.

What is source control provider * A source control provider provides archiving, versioning, and control facilities for a dynamically defined set of files. * The provider stores the differences between versions, as well as crucial information about the version: when it was created, when it was modified, and by whom. * To avoid conflicting file versions, a source control provider controls file access, enforcing a protocol by which users who want to modify a file must check it out. If a file is checked out exclusively, only the user who checked it out can modify it. When the file is checked back in, that file becomes the latest available version. * When several people are working on the same file, they must use the same code page, so that versions can be accurately compared *
What is source control client * File check outs, check ins, and other source control operations are actually accomplished through a source control client, such as SQL Server Management Studio. * The client is designed to interact with the provider to make the provider's capabilities available to a distributed group of users. * Using a source control client, users can browse the files stored by the provider; add and delete files; check files in and out; and retrieve copies of local files.

* The source control section is broken down into three different areas * Plug-In-Section: Here ,the specific plug in can be chosen * Environment: Allows for the configuration of the source control Environment settings supported by the configured source control plug in * Plug in settings-Provides the ability to customize the source control actions ( such as what to do with unchanged file that have been checked out and how to manage file comparisons and timestamps)

Log File Viewer * It is launched from within SQL server mgt studio * To open it- * Expand the management node in object explorer * Expand SQL server logs * Right click on a log and select “View SQL server log” * It allows consolidation of practically all the logs the DBA are most interested in * SQL server logs, SQL agent logs, and Operating Systems logs can be opened in the same window for easy correlation of system and SQL server events * When viewing multiple logs in the log viewer, filters can become useful in ensuring that the only information of interest is shown.(removing the problem of Information overload)
Ex : Filter settings allow the specification of a start date and an end date