In this article, we will discuss the process of developing and deploying a database project, also known as a data-tier application, using Visual Studio. We will cover topics such as creating a project structure, organizing code, creating database objects, and deploying the project to a SQL Server instance.
Creating the Project Structure and Best Practices
Before starting with the development, it is recommended to create a directory structure for the project. This will help in managing the code later when there are multiple files to handle. The directory structure should include individual directories for each schema that will be used in the project. For example, if there are two schemas – “dbo” and “stage”, create parent-level directories for these schemas and organize the objects under them.
To create a new directory in the database project, right-click on the project name, select “Add”, and then choose “New Folder”. This will allow you to create directories for each schema.
Creating Database Objects
Once the directory structure is set up, you can start creating the individual database objects. For example, to create a table under the “dbo” schema, right-click on the “Tables” directory, select “Add”, and then choose “Tables”. In the new item pane, provide a name for the table and click “Add”. The table designer pane will open, where you can use the design pane to create the table structure without writing any T-SQL code.
Similarly, you can add tables and other objects like stored procedures under other schemas as well. It is also advisable to add the project under source control, such as Git, to maintain a version of the database as development progresses.
Building and Deployment
Once the database objects are added to the project, you can proceed with building and deploying the project to the database server. Before that, ensure the following:
- Verify the build directory where the build files will be placed.
- Check the target database connection to ensure the project is deployed to the intended server.
To build the project, click on “Build” in the menu bar and select “Build Solution”. Alternatively, you can use the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + B. The output from the build process will be displayed in the output window.
To deploy the database project, right-click on the project and select “Publish”. In the publish database pane, check the target database connection and ensure the “Register as a Data-tier Application” checkboxes are selected. Click “Publish” to start the deployment process. The deployment may take some time depending on the number of objects in the project.
After the deployment is complete, you can verify the database in SQL Server Management Studio. The database should contain the columns defined in the database project.
Conclusion
In this article, we have covered the process of developing and deploying a database project using Visual Studio. We discussed creating a project structure, organizing code, creating database objects, and deploying the project to a SQL Server instance. This is just the beginning, and in future articles, we will explore more advanced usages of database applications.
Table of contents:
- Getting started with Data-Tier applications in Visual Studio
- Working with Database Projects
- Advanced usages of Data-Tier applications