Database Designer for Visual Studio?

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Database Designer for Visual Studio?

I am working on a database project and the entire team is working within Visual Studio. I created a database project, and I suppose I was hoping that I could utilize UML diagramming (or something along the lines of MySQL Workbench) so that I could "design" my database, and then auto-generate scripts. Unfortunately, at least from my cursory search, such a tool does not appear to exist within Visual Studio (I am using 2008 Professional).

Is there something within VS that I am missing? If so, could you please point me to it? Otherwise, what suggestions do you have for creating a database. I would like to be able to easily allow other developers to quickly create the database as well as put the files into source control. I'm envisioning designing the database via UML, and then, from there, everything is generated for me.

Thanks for any advice.

Visual Studio 2008 Team System database edition seems to do what you want. here is the link

no_one 2010-05-10 15:55:56

It's not installable on VS Professional, only on DB Edition or Team Suite.

Developer Art 2010-05-10 15:59:02

I am using 2008 Professional

Actually, database projects should not be available to you. At least, I do not see any SQL2005 or SQL 2008 projects in my VS 2008 Pro. You'd need the VS Database Edition or Team Suite for that functionality. Even so, it doesn't offer any graphical tools as far as I know. You can add database elements as script files and have it generate a deployment script for you.

You could also play with the Entity Framework 4 (requires VS 2010). There you have a graphical designer which will afterward generate a script for you.

Alternatively, you could try the Sybase PowerDesigner. Also a very powerful piece of software.

Developer Art 2010-05-10 15:58:09

if I remember correctly, all the VS Professional edition were allowed an upgrade to Team System Database edition for free. So if he has access to MSDN he should be able to upgrade.

no_one 2010-05-10 16:06:57

Hmmm...weird. I go under New Project>Other Project Types>Database and there is a Database Project for me to create.

JasCav 2010-05-10 16:07:49

@no_one - I actually do have MS Visual Studio 2008 Team Explorer. I didn't think that was the same thing as Team Suite.

JasCav 2010-05-10 16:08:45

I used to have a msdn subscription. Sometime last year I believe Team System Database Edition was made available to subscribers with professional edition. You might want to check your benefits over at MSDN.

no_one 2010-05-10 16:13:24

+1 A:

Also, in VS 2008 Professional, there is a "Database Project" that you can make use of. It's sole purpose is to store database scripts that you can then put under source control. You can either write the scripts yourself, or use the designer. If using the designer, after you create and save the table, you can right-click on it in the Server Explorer and choose "Generate Create Script".

http://blog.reamped.net/post/2008/05/Using-Database-Projects-for-Visual-Studio.aspx

http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=31764

NYSystemsAnalyst 2010-05-10 16:05:18

ansaurus

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