Visual Studio 2013 SQL Query and View Designer not appearing - sql

Not sure why the Query and View Designer is not appearing as per
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/vstudio/ms172013.aspx
It's an ASP.net project with database in the AppData folder, and a connection using SQL 2008 Express.
If it helps the connection string is:
Data Source=.\SQLEXPRESS;AttachDbFilename="C:\folders...\App_Data\database.mdf";Integrated Security=True;Connect Timeout=30;User Instance=True
If I open the project in VS2012 (where I've worked on this project for some time), find a table, right click, new query, I get the nice interactive visual design tool.
If I open the project in VS2013 (just installed) and do the same, blank page named SQLQuery1.sql and a basic connection to SQL Express (ie. master, model, etc.)
MS page tells me Tools / Options / Visual Database tools - but this doesn't exist on my installation!
Am I missing something?
Also tried with blank project, added App_Data and a new database (so using LocalDB), added a table, right click, new query - exactly the same blank file.

I have been having the same problem and think I have found the solution.
When you are adding the connection to the Database, in the Add Connection Dialog.
Click 'Change...' next to the Data source
Dialog opens showing 'Change Data Source'
You probable have selected 'Microsoft SQL Server' and then below that there is a drop down where you can select:
.NET Framework Data Provider for OLE DB
.NET Framework Data Provider for SQL Server (This is probably selected by default)
try changing to the OLE DB connection.
Click OK, and then complete the rest of the connection on the 'Add Connection' dialog.
I have then found that using the database works as it did in VS2012 and as you are describing above.

Was searching for a solution to a similar issue. Unable to use Query Designer for a local mdf file database. This is what I found...hope it helps someone.
Reading the comments here (http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/sqlserver/en-US/ed4675d3-aa84-47db-bdf5-f852355409e6/query-designer-not-displaying-in-visual-studio-2013?forum=ssdt).
According to the moderator of that forum question (Kevin Cunnane of Microsoft), "in Visual Studio 2013 the query designer and database diagram features are no longer available from the Server Explorer. If you wish to keep using the query designer, the only other workaround for now is to access it from SSMS. "
My current workaround is to use Visual Studio 2012 Server Explorer to view data and write queries for a local MDF file. And to use Visual Studio 2013 for everything else.

I have researched about 5 minutes how to run a query in Visual Studio. At the end I found this:

Even though i followed same steps , It did not work at once it gave some error and Studio closed. It was problem at my end and unknowingly it got sorted out on its own.

This component is called "SQL Server Data Tools". You can download it from MSDN. I found this page simply by googling "vs2013 ssdt". It seems that what TsugaSoft posted is true, however you still can install this component separetely... And it also works for Visual Studio 2012.

Related

Can't create a simple SQL Test

I'm trying to get just basic unit testing on an SQL database through a Visual Studio project.
The first thing I tried was just creating a simple .Net Core Unit Testing library.
Then I added an SQL Test, and it couldn't link to the SqlDatabaseTestClass`. Looking around, this is a fairly ubiquitous issue, but I found an obscure comment at the bottom of https://developercommunity.visualstudio.com/content/problem/29842/database-unit-test-project-does-not-build-in-visua.html that said that it's probably a linking issue.
So I created a .Net Framework Unit Test project. Now that has no option to add an SQL Test.
So I found an article that says that I should try creating an SQLDatabase https://www.codeguru.com/csharp/.net/net_data/create-sql-server-database-unit-tests-using-visual-studio.html
But then I got an error that The server version or database compatibility level is not supported. Import Database in VS 2015 SQL Server Database Project
The solution to that was to go to the SQL Server Object Explorer and right click on the DB and create an SQL project by right clicking on the Database. And that worked! Finally I have a project with database tables.
But now when I right click on a stored procedure, I don't get the option to create a unit test.
I figured it out.
Open the View -> SQL Object Explorer in the top menu bar in Visual Studio 2017. Make sure it's the Object Explorer and not the Server Explorer. These instructions presuppose that you have your connections setup properly.
Right-click on your database and click Create New Project. Make sure the directory is correct because it wasn't for me.
After the database imports, go to your Error List and resolve all those errors. Now you should be able to right-click on a stored procedure in either the SQL Server Object Explorer and select Create Unit Tests.
Allowing Visual Studio to do all the heavy lifting sorted me out.

Can't get SQL code working on Visual Studio

With the exception of a little HTML/Javascript, I've always used C++ on Visual Studio C++ 2010. I have an internship next week that will involve the use of SQL and .Net. I'm currently reading a book on SQL and it instructs us to go to its website to download code so that we can practice. The website is here: http://forta.com/books/0672336073/ I downloaded the one labeled "Microsoft SQL Server" which is basically two .sql files. One creates a simple database and the other one populates it.
However, for the life of me I cant figure out how to do it on Visual Studio 2010 or 2013 (I downloaded the full version of 2010). If anyone knows how to get these file to run on either VS version I would be very happy. I'm used to just hitting the green arrow button in Visual Studio C++ 2010, which I believe is execute. Obviously it isnt working for my sql code.
On VS 2013 I created a new "SQL Server Database Project". I then added two new "Application Role" items for the two .sql files. Now after clicking the "SQL" tab and "Execute" I get error messages about duplicate objects/keys, which I assume means the database is already created...but how do I view it? At one instance I mustve hit the right combination of buttons because I was able to view my database in a table format.
Thanks for any suggestions!
In visual studio go to view and select sql server, (see image) then click the + symbol and connect to the server installed on your machine (if its not yet listed)

How to change the connection in Sql Server Data Tools Editor in Visual Studio

My goal is to keep SQL Server stored procedures under source control. I also want to stop using SQL Server Management Studio and use only Visual Studio for SQL related development.
I've added a new SQL Server Database project to my solution. I have successfully imported my database schema into the new project, and all the SQL objects (tables, stored procedures) are there in their own files.
I know that now if I run (with F5) the .sql files then my changes will be applied to my (LocalDB). This if fine, but what if I want to very quickly run something on another machine (like a dedicated SQL Server shared by the entire team)? How can I change the connection string of the current .sql file in the Sql Server Data Tools editor?
I have the latest version of Sql Server Data Tools extension for Visual Studio 2012 (SQL Server Data Tools 11.1.31203.1). I don't know if this is related to the current version, but I cannot find anymore the Transact-SQL Editor Toolbar.
I have also tried to Right-click on the sql editor, choose Connection -> Disconnect. If I do the reverse (Connection -> Connect...) the editor directly connects automatically (probably to my LocalDB), without asking me a dialog to choose my connection.
Another strange thing I've observed, if I try to run a simple SQL query (like select * from dbo.ApplicationUser I receive the following message (even if the autocomplete works):
Thanks.
(Note: I have the same issue with Visual Studio 2013)
Inspired by srutzky's comments, I installed the latest SSDT pack (12.0.41025). And bingo, like srutzky said there is a Change Connection option. But what's more, you can specify your Target DB by right clicking on the Project in the Solution Explorer, and going to Properties->Debug and changing the Target Connection String! If you're stuck on an older SSDT, then the below instructions will still work.
For SSDT 12.0.3-
I've also been plagued by this problem! My solution is below, but it has some Pros and Cons to it...
SOLUTION
I'm assuming that you are using a SQL Server Project in VS (I'm using VS2013 and SQL Server 2012).
Right click on your .sql file in the Solution Explorer and view Properties.
Change Build Action to None.
If the file is open for editing, then close it.
Reopen the file, and the T-SQL Editor should appear at the top.
Click Connect, and you will connect to your (localdb).
Click Disconnect.
Click Connect again and the SQL Server Connection dialog should appear.
Switch the connect string of '(localdb)\Whatever' to '.' (for some reason using '(localhost)' didn't work for me).
Voila, you should now be able to query against your SQL Server DBs! Rinse and repeat for every file you want this capability with... :/
PROS
You can finally run queries directly against your SQL Server DB
Your code can be organized in a nice VS solution (SSMS doesn't allow folders! :/)
You can (after switching Build Action setting back) Build the project
CONS
I'm not seeing any autocomplete/intellisense against the remote DB, although if you import your DB, then you could gain the intellisense from that
Requires each file to switch Build Action to None
This should be a fairly simple and straight-forward thing to do, that is, if you are using SSDT version 12.0.41025.0 (or newer, one would suppose):
Do either:
Go to the SQL menu at the top of the Visual Studio window
Right-click inside of the SQL editor tab
Go to Connection ->
Select Change Connection
Then it will display the "Connect to Server" modal dialog window.
If you do not see the options for "Disconnect All Queries" and "Change Connection...", then you need to upgrade your SSDT via either:
Visual Studio:
Go to the "TOOLS" menu and then "Extensions and Updates..."
Direct download:
Go to: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/data/tools.aspx
The fastest way to achieve this is create a new SQL Connection, copy and paste the code then execute.
What I do is Tools->SQL Server->New Query.
Enter the database credentials (And make sure that the Database at the top is correct - I have hundreds of sp's in my master db on local :) )
Copy the source code from the editor, paste into the new query window.
Then Execute (CRTL-Shift-E).
You can leave this 'scratch' window open and pinned for easy access for subsequent executes.
If you want to deploy (i.e. publish) the entire database then you can setup a publish destination for each server, right click on the xml and select publish..

Visual Basic using SQL Database

So this is a homework question but I'm probably missing something really simple. I am working on a project where I was given a database. I'm not in the programming part of the assignment but I have to write the test case scenerios for the project before starting the project. Because I am working with an SQL Database that was provided. I am supposed to write the expected output from the database. If the user chooses shampoo from the products menu then the different brands of shampoo should then populate in my datagrid.
Because they gave us a sample database. How do I view it? I am I supposed to be able to write the expected output if I don't know what has been pre-programmed into the database?
Thanks in advance. I have already designed my layout and I guess I'm just stuck because I have been taught to plan your output before you program that way you know the program is working correctly. I don't want to write the assignment to find my output in case I did it wrong I guess, if that makes sense.
Here is how to do it in Visual Studio 2010
To create a data connection to the Northwind database—SQL Server
database file (.mdf)
On the View menu, click Server Explorer/Database Explorer.
In Server Explorer/Database Explorer, right-click Data Connections and
click Add Connection.
After you click Add Connection, either the Add Connection dialog box
or the Choose Data Source dialog box will appear.
If the Choose Data Source dialog box appears, select Microsoft SQL
Server Database File, and then click OK.
If the Add Connection dialog box appears, verify that the Data source
is set to Microsoft SQL Server Database File (SqlClient). If it is not
set to Microsoft SQL Server Database File (SqlClient), click Change to
open the Change Data Source dialog box, click Microsoft SQL Server
Database File, and then click OK.
Click Browse to locate the .mdf file that contains the Northwind
database.
Depending on the requirements of your version of the Northwind
database, either click Use Windows Authentication or click SQL Server
Authentication and type a user name and password to log on to the
computer running SQL Server. For more information, see Add/Modify
Connection (Microsoft SQL Server Database File).
Click OK.
A data connection to the Northwind database is added to Server
Explorer/Database Explorer.
Okay, so this should be pretty straight forward then:
Download and install SQL Management Studio Express.
Attach the database.
I wouldn't normally just list links in an answer, but this one really calls for it. These are very foundational URL's and won't be moving.

Visual Studio Adding Data Connections - Given Key not Present in the Dictionary

I've read through a couple of previous similar questions and none seem to provide a fix.
so i ask again.
I'm using Visual Studio and am trying to connect to a DB in Server Explorer. Regardless of what database i try to connect to it gives a "Given Key not Present in the Dictionary" error.
i have tried with SQL CE and SQL Express 2008 databases and each give the same issue.
I can connect quite easily with SQL Management Studio Express so i believe the Databases are the same.
Thanks in Advance.
after a lot of time searching for the answer to this i found the solution here
this is not really a workaround but in fact a SOLUTION, how to get rid of the error, in case you have missed to remove all connections before removing the provider:
edit C:\Users...\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\VisualStudio\10.0\ServerExplorer\DefaultView.SEView and remove the connection with the wrong Provider manually. If you do not know which of the provider is failing, simply delete the file :)
If this won't help try deleting also C:\Users...\AppData\Local\Microsoft\VisualStudio\10.0
PS: you have to quit all instances of visual studios first or the files will be re-created from memory ..
The second part only worked for me , deleting the whole folder.
I had recently installed the MySQL Connector, and had multiple instances of Visual Studio open. After shutting them all down, I was able to add a connection to the Server Explorer.
Adding to what BastanteCaro said, I had open the DefaultView.SEView file in case I needed to go down that path. When I shut everything down and started up a new instance of Visual Studio, Notepad++ reported that the file had changed. So either there was an uncommitted change to the file or some sort of cleanup/addition was made on startup.