Updated: July 10, 2020 (January 9, 2012)

SQL Server Improves Tools for Developers

Wes Miller analyzes and writes about Microsoft’s security, identity management, and systems management technologies. Before joining Directions on Microsoft, Wes... more

The SQL Server Data Tools are a new set of developer tools from the SQL Server product team, available both as a stand-alone application and as a set of plug-ins for Visual Studio (VS) 2010. Key enhancements from earlier VS tools are focused around improving developer workflow, productivity, and code reliability. The tools will be useful for individuals and teams of SQL Server application developers and will likely help teams develop and update applications more rapidly, with fewer errors when deploying or updating databases.

Database Development Enhanced by Data Tools

For developers, SQL Server 2012 delivers the SQL Server Data Tools as a stand-alone environment or a set of plug-ins for VS 2010 if it is already installed. The Data Tools handle all SQL Server 2012 development tasks. Previous versions of SQL Server have provided more than one development environment for SQL Server developers, including the following:

Visual Studio (VS 2008 shipped a Database edition targeted exclusively

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