.mdf created in Visual Studio - sql-server

my colleague created .mdf and .ldf files from Visual Studio. Now, I'm trying to access the file in SQL Server. There seems to be a problem with this. Can anybody tell me what edition of SQL Server must I have on my Windows Vista 32-bit, so I can access this database. Thanks in advance. :)

Your question is tagged [visual-studio-2008]. That version of Visual Studio is bundled with SQL Server 2005 (if you have the proper edition) and the builtin tools uses SQL Server 2005. However, there is nothing in Visual Studio 2008 that prohibits you from using say SQL Server 2008 if you want to. But I hope this answers your question.

The MDF and LDF file format is identical between all SQL Server editions that are at the same build number. Your friend's Visual Studio by default installs SQL Server Express 2008, and the Express is updated automatically by Microsoft Update and Windows Update to the lates released service pack. Since there is no supported downgrade path for MDF files, your own SQL Server has to match at least the latest Express edition pushed through Windows Update, so you'll most likely need SQL Server 2008 SP1 (build 2007.100.2531.0).
To verify what version of SQL you have and your friend has, follow the steps described in How to identify your SQL Server version and edition

Related

Can't create SQL Server 2012 database from Visual studio 2010 (SSDT) on my local PC

I am a new SQL Server programmer and this is my first question on stackoverflow.
Anticipating your help...
I have these installed in my PC: Windows 7 ultimate SP1 + SQL Server 2012 Enterprise + Visual Studio 2010 (SSDT which came with my SQL Server 2012). What I want to do is create a database from SSDT.
In server explorer, I right clicked the data connection -> create new SQL Server database. After I input my server name and choose "Use Windows authentication" (which is the case with my SQL Server 2012), I got this warning:
This server version is not supported. Only servers up to Microsoft SQL Server 2008 are supported.
What shall I do? Shall I upgrade to Visual studio 2013 or I have other options?
Much appreciated if anyone can help.
Visual Studio isn't really the issue here. And you didn't say why you installed VS 2010 (are you actually developing apps with it?). If you're not actually developing in VS, I would remove it and just install the latest SSDT. This will install a VS shell, containing enough functionality to fully run SSDT. Then you should be able to create SQL Server 2012 databases, which I assume is what you want to do.

"This version is not supported. only servers up to microsoft sql server 2005 are supported"

justI'm getting this error message when trying to add a new connection in VS 2008 Server Explorer.
Unfortunately I'm working in a PC that my client company gave me, and I need to ask permissions to install new software there. This PC has VS 2008 and a pretty old Sql Server version(2000 for what I can see).
I used to think VS doesnt need an additional SQLServer install just to connect, but I guess I was wrong...I want to develop an app that connects to SQL Server 2008, and after testing connection it prompts the error mentioned above.
Is there a way to connect succesfully without installing a newer Sql Server version on my side?
Please, if there is no way to do it, just answer no and let me know, thanks in advance.
As Visual Studio 2008 was released before SQL Server 2008, the development environment database tools were coded without knowing about SQL Server 2008.
However, since these versions of Visual Studio were released before
SQL Server 2008, the design-time tools cannot interact with SQL Server
2008 - even though it is possible to programmatically access the data
in a SQL Server 2008 database from applications written with Visual
Studio 2008 or 2005
Source: Connecting to Microsoft SQL Server 2008 from Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 and 2008
Luckily, Microsoft did release a patch for both Visual Studio 2005 and Visual Studio 2008, which is also referenced in the article (to save you reading the whole thing, for Visual Studio 2008, you need to install Visual Studio 2008 Service Pack 1)

I installed sql server 2008 r2 on vista 32, but can't find sql server management studio

I first installed visual studio 2010 express edition, and I think it installs sql server 2008 express. But then I went and downloaded sql server 2008 R2 32 bit. Now I'm trying to find sql server management studio and I downloaded the stand-alone one from the ms site and when I launched it, it said that it doesn't support this version of sql server. Then I found a link that someone posted that points to a version of sql server management studio for sql server 2008 r2, but the 32 bit version doesn't have a download button. http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=22985
Why is this so complicated? I just want to run sql server 2008 r2 and manage it with management studio.
Here is my installed packages:
And here is the services that are running (notice it says sqlexpress) But which one is it, the one that came with vs 2010 or the is it the one I downloaded and installed (i.e. sql server 2008 r2)?
Any suggestions on what I should do next? Where can I find sql server management studio that will work with my installs?
Go back to the download page for SQL Management Studio and scroll down to the "Instructions" section to find a link to SQLManagementStudio_X86 Executable
SQL server installation media should contain Management Studio on it. Look in Shared features.

Suggestions for SQL Server GUI?

I just downloaded SQL Server 2005 Express edition. I was hoping it would come with a GUI to let me design my tables and such, but it doesn't. I'm working with ColdFusion/CF Builder here, so I don't really want one that integrates into Visual Studio. Also, it would be helpful if it has the option to connect to a remote database too. Suggestions?
SQL Server Management Studio Express should have been installed with your download. If not, you can get it here:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=C243A5AE-4BD1-4E3D-94B8-5A0F62BF7796&displaylang=en
Consider using the latest version of SQL Server Express (2008), which can be found here:
http://www.microsoft.com/express/Database/
The path for SSMS in the 2008 edition is
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Tools\Binn\VSShell\Common7\IDE\Ssms.exe"
I would imagine that on 2005 the path will be the same but replace the 100 with 90. If it is not there then you can redownload it and add it to your instalation

Why won't Visual Studio 2008 create .mdf files with SQL Server 2008 Developer installed?

I'm trying some of the ASP.NET MVC tutorials and one of them has the following steps:
Right-click on the "App_Data" folder, and choose "Add New item"
Choose "SQL Server Database" under the "Data" category.
However, once I do that, I get the following message from Visual Studio:
Connections to SQL Server files (*.mdf) require SQL Server Express 2005 to function proprely. Please verify the installation of the component or download from the URL...
The thing is that I have SQL Server 2008 Developer Edition installed, and I would really rather not install any Express versions (2005 or 2008) if I don't have to. Is there a work-around for this issue?
I ran into this problem too on 64-bit Windows 7 (using 64-bit SQL Server Express 2008).
There are two methods of fixing this problem referenced in the Microsoft Support Knowledge Base article:
1. Workaround
To work around this problem, uninstall
the 64-bit version of SQL Server
Express 2008, and then install the
32-bit version of SQL Server Express
2008.
If you don't want to do the uninstall/install, then try the Hotfix method below.
2. Hotfix
A supported hotfix is now available
from Microsoft. However, it is
intended to correct only the problem
that this article describes. Apply it
only to systems that are experiencing
this specific problem.
Although the article itself doesn't include a link to the hotfix, you can get it here:
http://support.microsoft.com/hotfix/KBHotfix.aspx?kbnum=957944
To illuminate masfenix's reply, SQL Express supports one feature that is not supported by full-blown SQL Server: a "user instance" database. With SQL Express installed and an mdf file in your App_Data folder, the application will dynamically attach and detach it as needed. For hobbyist or small business sites, this may be perfect. If you're running SQL elsewhere in the enterprise, you probably don't want to go this route and therefore the feature isn't useful to you.
Actually SQL express is a whole different database engine then SQL Server 2005. So yes if you want to use mdf files you'd need SQL Express.
I want to point out that I have both Developer edition and Express edition installed. And I still run into the same error. I think Express edition must be installed as a single instance.
I have the same problem but I've sql 2008 express installed.
any way to make it work with sql 2008 express so I don't have to install the 4th sql instance on my machine??
I already have sql 2005, sql 2008, sql 2008 express
what the F... :)

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