Overview

SQL Server is a robust relational database management system (RDBMS) developed by Microsoft that powers enterprise-scale applications. Key strengths include:

  • Mission-critical performance: In-memory technologies and advanced query processing
  • Security innovations: Always Encrypted, Dynamic Data Masking, and Row-Level Security
  • Advanced analytics: Integration with R and Python for machine learning
  • Comprehensive high availability: AlwaysOn Availability Groups and Failover Clustering
  • Hybrid capabilities: Consistent experience across on-premises and cloud

SQL Server is ideal for organizations requiring enterprise-grade reliability, security, and performance for their data platform needs.

Supported Authentication Methods

DBCode supports these SQL Server authentication options:

  • SQL Based Authentication: Traditional username and password
  • Microsoft Entra ID: Modern cloud-based identity service (via Azure SQL)
  • Windows Integrated Authentication: Seamless login with your Windows credentials

DBCode also supports connecting to named instances of SQL Server, which use a server\instance naming format.

Connecting

To connect to SQL Server in DBCode:

  1. Open the DBCode Extension: Launch Visual Studio Code and open the DBCode extension.
  2. Add a New Connection: Click on the “Add Connection” icon.
  3. Complete connection form: Select SQL Server as the database type and enter:
    • Server address or named instance
    • Authentication method and credentials
    • Database name (optional)
    • Connection encryption options
  4. Connect: Click save to establish the connection.
  5. Start Managing Your Database: Explore objects and execute queries.

For detailed instructions on connecting to SQL Server, refer to the Connect article.

Connect Multiple Databases

Major cloud providers offer SQL Server as a managed service. To connect to a cloud provider and access multiple SQL Server databases:

  1. Open the DBCode Extension: Launch Visual Studio Code and open the DBCode extension.
  2. Add a New Connection: Click on the “Add Connection” icon.
  3. Select Your Provider: Choose the cloud provider from the list.
  4. Authenticate: Follow the authentication process for that provider.
  5. Start Managing Your Databases: Navigate between servers and databases through a unified interface.

For detailed instructions on connecting to cloud-hosted SQL Server databases, refer to the Connect a Cloud Provider article.

SQL Server Features in DBCode

DBCode enhances your SQL Server development experience with:

  • T-SQL IntelliSense: Smart code completion for SQL Server’s dialect
  • Execution plan visualization: Analyze and optimize query performance

By using SQL Server with DBCode, you can efficiently manage your databases while leveraging the productivity features of Visual Studio Code.

For more information about SQL Server, check out SQL Server.