Blog Post: Server Explorer: Data Connections

Keyboard:  CTRL + ALT + S
Menu:  View -> Server Explorer; Tools -> Connect to Database
Command:  View.ServerExplorer; Tools.ConnecttoDatabase
Versions:  2008,2010
Published:  12/29/2010
Code:  vstipTool0121

 

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Server Explorer is the server management tool window that comes with Visual Studio.  One of the things you can use this window for is to open data connections:

 

 

 

Data Connections in Other Areas

The data connections you have in Server Explorer can be used in other areas like ADO.NET Entity Data Models:

 

When you go to create Entity Data Models that are generated from a database you will be able to choose from the data connections you already have or to create a new connection to be added to the list.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data Connections in Server Explorer

 

Did you know there is an incredible amount of power and control that is available here?  We will look a a couple of them as an example.

 

 

Tables

 

At the most basic level you can list out the tables in the database.  Additionally, you can RIGHT CLICK on any table and see most of the features you can leverage:

 

Notice that you can add a new table, create a new query, or just show the data in the table among other tasks.

 

 

Stored Procedures

 

 

One of the great database features in Visual Studio is the ability to not only create and edit stored procedures but also step into them as well:

 

 

 

Finally

Don't take the Database Connection features in Server Explorer for granted.  Explore and try them out for yourself!

Tara Reed Avril Lavigne Bridget Moynahan Noureen DeWulf Nicollette Sheridan