SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is an integrated development environment (IDE) used to manage SQL infrastructure, from SQL Server to Azure SQL databases. It provides tools and resources to configure, manage, administer and query SQL server and its components.
This table shows the different versions of SQL Server Management Studio with its release year and download link.
Version | Release Year | Download Link |
---|---|---|
SQL Server Management Studio 18 (Latest) | 2019 | Direct Download |
SQL Server Management Studio 17 | 2017 | Direct Download |
SQL Server Management Studio 16 | 2016 | Direct Download |
SQL Server Management Studio 2014 | 2014 | Direct Download |
SQL Server Management Studio 2012 | 2012 | Direct Download |
SQL Server Management Studio 2008 R2 | 2010 | Direct Download |
SQL Server Management Studio 2008 | 2008 | Direct Download |
SQL Server Management Studio 2005 | 2005 | -- |
SSMS is an IDE used to access, configure, develop, monitor, and manage all components of SQL Server, Azure SQL, and Azure Synapse Analytics. It provides a graphical tools with many rich script editors that provides access to all developers and database administrators all the tools they need.
Object Explorer provides a hierarchical user interface used to view and manage SQL server objects.
This pane displays a tabular view of object instances and allows you to search through specific objects.
The capability of this component varies on the type of server but it includes development and management features on all server types.
Task Description |
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Opens the Object Explorer and configure how the explorer will behave |
Connects Object Explorer to an instance in Database Engine, Analysis Services, Reporting Services, and Integration Services |
Manage objects in the Object Explorer hierarchy nodes |
Provides a user interface in tabular view to manage SQL server objects |
Run custom reports in SQL Server Management Studio |
Templates are files containing SQL scripts that helps you create database objects.
The Template Explorer displays all the templates which can be used in the code editor.
Custom templates can also be added using this component.
Task Description |
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Opens a template and incorporate it into code editor window |
Opens a template and replace its parameter values in the code editor |
The Solution Explorer provides container called Projects that is used to manage database scripts, queries, database connections, and files.
A solution may have one or more projects, files, and metadata.
Solutions and projects contain scripts, queries, connection information, and files needed to create a database solution.
Task Description |
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Collects and manage one or more projects in a solution |
Create a project and add items such as scripts and connections |
Provides information regarding the SQL Server Management Studio files to manage solutions |
Implements source control on queries and scripts |
The Visual Database Tools include visual designers used to build Transact-SQL queries, tables, and database diagrams.
Task Description |
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Design database diagram |
Design tables |
Design SQL queries |
The Query Editor is used as a basic editor to edit text files.
It includes a language service which defines the syntax of SQL Server languages.
It also implements IntelliSense and debugging.
This is used to build scripts and statements using the Database Engine Query Editor.
Aside from writing scripts and queries, it can also run scripts containing SQL statements.
Task Description |
---|
Open code editor in SSMS |
Configure code editor in terms of line numbering and IntelliSense options |
Manage view mode such as word wrapping, splitting windows or tabs |
Set text formatting options such as hidden text and indentation |
Implements incremental search and go to, to navigate through the code editor |
Drag and drop scripts from one location to another |
Set bookmarks to codes |
View and use basic features in the MDX Query Editor |
View and use basic features in the DMX Query Editor |
View and use basic features in the XML/A Query Editor |
Use sqlcmd features in Database Engine Query Editor |
Use code snippets in the editor |
Use the Transact-SQL debugger to step through codes and view debugging information such as paramaters and values |
1. Download the SSMS from Microsoft
You may download the latest SQL Server Management Studio and once downloaded, you will get an .exe file named SSMS-Setup-ENU.exe. Double click on this file to start installation.
2. Install the SSMS on your system
After double clicking the SSMS-Setup-ENU.exe file, a window will appear as shown below. Click on the Install button to begin installation.
3. Wait for the installation progress
After beginning the installation progress, the Package Progress and Overall Progress will begin. Wait for it to be completed.
4. Complete the SSMS Installation
After the progress is completed, the window showing Setup Completed message will be prompted.
This ends the installation, you are now ready to use the SQL Server Management Studio.
After you have successfully installed the SQL Server Management Studio, you can launch it right away from your programs. It will be named as Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 18. After opening this application, a window will show up that asks for your server connection.
After setting all the configurations, click the button Connect and you will be connected to the Data Management Studio where you can already access all the components of SMSS.
Once an SQL Server Connection succeeded, you will be able to view and manage objects within the Object Explorer where you may view the server name, SQL version, username, and other server objects depending on the server type.
You may now start writing and executing scripts on the SMSS. Let's start by writing a query to create a new database in the SQL Server. A new query can be added by right clicking the server instance on the Object Explorer and selecting New Query or simply click the New Query on the tool ribbon.
After clicking either options, the Query Editor will show. You can now start writing your queries on this tab. In this case, we will write a query to create a new database named DB_CUSTOMER_SANDBOX.
CREATE DATABASE DB_CUSTOMER_SANDBOX
After writing the query, to apply the changes, we need to run the script. Click on the Execute button on the tool ribbon or click F5 on your keyboard to execute the script.
On the Object Explorer, you may now be able to see the new database is added. Click on the Databases to expand it and see the list of databases in the SQL Server.
Once you click on the database name, all the database objects will be shown including Diagrams, Tables, Views, External Resources, and more. By clicking any of the objects, the data within will be shown. In here, we created a table inside the new database and wants to view it including its columns.