Get Connected: Connecting SQL Server 2012 to Visual Studio 2013

Are you a developer struggling to connect SQL Server 2012 to Visual Studio 2013? Fear not! We have your back. In this article, we will go through the necessary steps to get you up and running as quickly as possible.

Step 1: Installing SQL Server 2012

Before connecting to SQL Server 2012, download it from Microsoft’s website and follow the installation wizard.

Step 2: Finding the Server Name

Locating the server name is crucial before you can connect to SQL Server. To do this, head to “Start > All Programs > Microsoft SQL Server 2012 > Configuration Tools > SQL Server Configuration Manager.” Right-click on TCP/IP, select Properties, and the server name will be displayed.

Step 3: Creating a Database

To make a database in SQL Server 2012, use SQL Server Management Studio. Connect to your SQL Server instance, right-click on the Databases folder and choose New Database. Give your database a name and click OK.

Step 4: Connecting from Visual Studio 2013

With your database created, you can now connect to it from Visual Studio 2013. Open Visual Studio, and click on the Server Explorer. From there, right-click on Data Connections, select Add Connection, choose Microsoft SQL Server in the Choose Data Source window and continue.

In the Add Connection window, enter the server name you found in Step 2. Choose the SQL Server Authentication option and enter your credentials. Select your database from the dropdown list and click OK.

Step 5: Using the Data in Your Project

Now that you’ve connected to your database, you can use the data in your project. The next step is to right-click on your project, select Add, and choose New Item. In the Add New Item window, click on ADO.NET Entity Data Model and Add.

In the Entity Data Model Wizard, choose the Generate from Database option, select the database you created in Step 3, pick your tables, and click Finish.

Wrapping Up

Connecting SQL Server 2012 to Visual Studio 2013 might seem challenging, but with these instructions, you’ll be ready to create fantastic projects in no time. Happy coding!