Tools for Getting Started

New: 5 December 2005

The SQL Server 2005 Database Engine ships with a variety of tools. This topic describes the first tools you will need, and helps you select the right tool for the job. All tools can be accessed from the Start menu. Generally, tools such as SQL Server Management Studio are not installed by default. You must select the tools as part of the client components during setup. For complete description of the tools described below, search for them in SQL Server Books Online. SQL Server 2005 Express Edition contains only a subset of the tools.

Basic Tools

• SQL Server Management Studio is the principal tool for administering the Database Engine and writing Transact-SQL code. It is hosted in the Visual Studio shell. It is not included in SQL Server 2005 Express Edition or SQL Server Compact Edition.
• SQL Server Management Studio Express is a free, limited version of SQL Server Management Studio, intended for use with SQL Server 2005 Express Edition and for users who want the basic features of Management Studio in a lightweight tool.
• SQL Server Surface Area Configuration installs with SQL Server and lets you enable the server protocols, configure services to start automatically, and enable some optional features of the Database Engine, such as Database Mail. Generally you will use this tool when SQL Server is first installed to enable connectivity and features.
• SQL Server Configuration Manager installs with both SQL Server and the client tools. It lets you enable server protocols, configure protocol options such as TCP ports, configure server services to start automatically, and configure client computers to connect in your preferred manner. This tool configures the more advanced connectivity elements but does not enable features.

Sample Database

SQL Server 2005 includes a sample database called AdventureWorks. This database is not installed by default. If you want to experiment with the AdventureWorks database, you must select it using the Setup program. Most examples described in SQL Server Books Online use the AdventureWorks database. For more information, see Running Setup to Install AdventureWorks Sample Databases and Samples.

To start SQL Server Management Studio

1. On the Start menu, point to All Programs, point to Microsoft SQL Server 2005, and then click SQL Server Management Studio.

To start SQL Server Surface Area Configuration or SQL Server Configuration Manager

1. On the Start menu, point to All Programs, point to Microsoft SQL Server 2005, point to Configuration Tools, and then click either SQL Server Surface Area Configuration or SQL Server Configuration Manager.

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Connecting with Management Studio

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