Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio For Windows 18.7

Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express is a free, integrated environment for accessing, configuring, managing, administering, and developing all components of SQL Server, as well as combining a broad group of graphical tools and rich script editors that provide access to the Server to developers and administrators of all skill levels.

Originally introduced to the public as the part of the Microsoft SQL Server 2005, this app-enabled professional user to easily manage, administer and configure all components of the Microsoft SQL Server Platform, with access to tools such script editors, graphical tools, and everything needed to interact with objects and database features. The latest version of this app managed to completely integrate itself with all the features and additions that were introduced with the arrival of the SQL Server 2012, enabling users from all around the world to easily manage both their old and new database-related projects of all shapes and sizes.

“Data are just summaries of thousands of stories – tell a few of those stories to help make the data meaningful.” — Chip & Dan Heath

What is SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)

SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is a GUI tool, which helps us to manage SQL Server Installations. You can use this tool to design and manage the database and query its data. You can use this to manage the database, which is located on your PC or somewhere in the cloud.

Using SSMS 18.2, you can not only manage the SQL Server 2017, but the previous versions of the SQL Server starting from 2008.

Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express (SSMSE) is an integrated environment for accessing, configuring, managing, administering, and developing all components of the Server. The software combines a broad group of graphical tools with a number of rich script editors to provide access to SQL Server to developers and administrators of all skill levels. Developers get a familiar experience, and database administrators get a single comprehensive utility that combines easy-to-use graphical tools with rich scripting capabilities.

This software can be connected to a Microsoft SQL Server instance by simply supplying the correct credentials. Once connected, the schemas for each database are displayed in the tree view in the Object Explorer and can be easily browsed.

All the routine database management tasks can be performed with the Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio. Thus, you can create a new database and expand the current tables by adding new rows, or new columns. The application enables you to modify, rename, and delete records, manage tables and views, filter data, and import data from external resources.

How to install SQL Server Management Studio Software?

Install SQL Server Management Studio

Download from the link given above and double click on the downloaded file to start the installation.

Select Install Location

Say yes, when prompted for “Do you want to allow the following to make a change to this computer? “. You will be taken to the Welcome screen.

You can change the installation location if you wish to. Click on the Install button to continue

Installation Begins

Installation in Progress

The installation will take time as it downloads the required packages from the internet.

Installation Complete

Installation completes. You may be asked to restart the PC.

How to access “Management Studio.”

Now, You ready to open “Management Studio. Go To Start Menu>Programs>Microsoft SQL Server Tools 18> Microsoft SSMS 18.

Below the ‘Connect to Server’ screen will appear. Server Name defaults to the name selected while installing the MS SQL server.

Let’s understand each of the above fields

1. Server type: This is an option to select one out of four available MS SQL services options. You will be working on the ‘Database Engine‘ for creating and working with Database. Other Server type includes Analysis, Reporting & Integration Services.

2. Server name: This is Server’s name where MS SQL Server is installed and needs to establish a connection with that server. Generally, All users are using the server name as “Machine nameInstance.” Here Instance is the name given to SQL Server instance while SQL server installation.

3. Authentication: This is defaulted to “Windows Authentication” if you use “Windows Authentication” during SQL Server Installation. Else, if you can select ‘Mixed Mode (Windows Authentication & Windows Authentication)‘ then Authentication will be defaulted to “SQL Server Installation.”

4. User namePassword: If Authentication is selected other than “Windows Authentication” like “SQL server Installation” then these two fields will be required.

Click on ‘Connect.’ Now you will be connected to ‘Data Management Studio.’

SSMS supported operating systems

The below table shows the SQL server edition and its corresponding supported Operating system. ‘Y’ means Supported and ‘N’ Means Not Supported.

Pros And Cons of SQL Server Management Studio Software