Microsoft Docs – SQL Server Data Tools

SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) – Overview

SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) is a modern development environment that provides a rich set of tools for database development, testing, and deployment. It integrates tightly with Visual Studio, allowing developers to treat database projects as code, enabling source‑control, automated builds, and continuous integration.

Key Benefits

Project‑Based Development

Create a database project that stores all schema objects as scripts. Treat your database like any other source‑controlled code.

Schema Compare

Easily compare schema between databases, projects, and DACPACs, and generate incremental scripts.

Debugging

Set breakpoints, watch variables, and step through T‑SQL code within Visual Studio.

Data‑Generation Plans

Define reusable data‑generation scripts to populate test databases with realistic data.

Sample Project Structure

MyDatabaseProject/
├─ Properties/
│   └─ Database.sqlproj
├─ Tables/
│   └─ dbo.Customer.sql
├─ Views/
│   └─ dbo.CustomerView.sql
├─ StoredProcedures/
│   └─ dbo.usp_GetCustomer.sql
└─ Scripts/
    └─ Pre-Deployment.sql

Getting Started

To begin using SSDT, follow these steps:

  1. Install the latest Visual Studio with the "Data storage and processing" workload.
  2. Create a new SQL Server Database Project from the project templates.
  3. Add your schema objects and scripts.
  4. Build the project to produce a .dacpac file.
  5. Deploy or publish the DACPAC to your target database.

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