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David Atkinson avatar image
David Atkinson asked

Does a SQL Server Scripts Project work for database development?

If you go to File/New/Project in SQL Server Management Studio you can create a SQL Server Scripts project. To this you can add Connections, Queries and Miscellaneous. It isn't possible to add further folders or subfolders. In fact, there doesn't seem to be much value in this. How is this a workable "container" to use for a database development project?

I'm really curious to know if anyone uses this 'project' and what they store in Queries and Miscelleneous. If you don't use this, have you found a better way of storing your files?

sql-serverssmsdeveloperproject
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Kev Riley avatar image
Kev Riley answered

I must admit, having been using SQL Server since v7, and never being a developer using VB, .Net or whatever with an IDE, I don't use this feature much. The whole idea of projects and solutions was alien to me when it was introduced in SQL Server 2005. Although I've been forced into it with Reporting Services / BIDS.

Have seen it used a lot by people presenting demos - they keep all their related scripts together under one 'project'.

Not sure whether better integration with source control systems would make this feature more attractive? Just like I see app developers using it.

I tend to have my own 'home grown' directory structure for keeping related project files together.

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Grant Fritchey avatar image
Grant Fritchey answered

I've found it to be way to underpowered. All it really does is group your scripts together. You don't get a serious build & deployment mechanism out of it and there's no added strength to developing in SSMS. I just don't use it.

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Rob Farley avatar image
Rob Farley answered

It is useful for giving presentations, or for keeping your 'commonly used' queries together. It offers Source Control integration, which makes it vaguely useful. I often combine it with PowerShell, as PowerShell lets me easily run every .sql file in order on a particular server for deployment.

But I'm not an overall fan. There are too many things it doesn't do. I love SSMS, but it's not a proper development environment.

The Miscelleanous section can be handy for storing the odd Execution Plan. If I have a query that I know prefers a particular plan, it can be handy to have that plan 'on hand' for reference.

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