How can I add SQL Server database objects to TFS?

Question

We don't currently have our SQL Server objects in any form of source control. We recently installed TFS 2008 and I'd like to get our SQL server code added. I think I could script all of the database and create script files for each object, but I'm hoping there is a way to point to a database in SSMS and create a project that can be added to TFS or something similar. Basically, I'm look for the simplest way to get from point A to point B. I've installed the TFS MSSCCI Provider and I see TFS in the source control provider options in SSMS. The SQL Server instance is SS2005.

Answer 1

If you have a visual studio Team Developer license you can download the Database edition. It has a project type that can bring your tables, sprocs, triggers, etc under source control and check it into TFS.

Answer 2

You probably need Visual Studio Team System For Database Professionals to do what you want.

I use the standard Database project and just keep three scripts per database: one for the schema, one for the stored procs, and one for data population.

Answer 3

I think generating your own scripts is the best way to do it, as described in this excellent series of articles:

http://odetocode.com/Blogs/scott/archive/2008/01/31/11710.aspx

Answer 4

I use Tasks -> Generate Scripts in SSMS to create a SQL script that I store in my project. If you do this make sure that you choose options to include things like triggers and indexes. I typically ignore the extended properties in the script generation to make things a little more compact.

Answer 5

The simplest way to do this is with Quest Toad for SQL Server. Disclaimer - I work for Quest, hahaha. Anyway, Toad integrates with TFS so you can check objects in and out of source control. You don't have to hassle with scripting the objects out first. If you want to play with it, grab the latest beta version for free, and there's an active user community on that site where you can ask questions.

Toad for SQL Server