sql server programming: Dear experts,

I'm an Oracle guy, looking to pick up SQL Server.

I've installed SQL Server 2000 on XP (home). I'm now trying to navigate
SQL Server.


In Oracle, I would just open SQLPLUS, and query away.
SqlPlus looks like a DOS window, or telnet window into Unix.
It just has the dot prompt. No Gui.

But I can't find anything so simple in SQL Server.

I have found:
SQL Server Enterprise Manager
SQL Query Analyzer


In SQL Query Analyzer, I've been able do some basic queries.

In Enterprise Manager, it looks like I could create a table
and other objects if I wanted.


I'm hoping to write some scripts to create some tables, insert
and update some data. And make and execute some stored
procedures. As any regular SQL Server developer.

It would seem rather crazy to allow the entire staff to
access Enterprise Manager.

Where do I do the basic queries, navigating, and development in SQL
Server?


Thanks a lot

Thanks. I found it on the server. But it asked for a password.
I'm using Windows authentication, and used the password for the
machine,
but, no luck.

Is there a standard password for the demo databases?


Other than OSQL, is query analyzer the standard interface to SQL
Server?

Thanks. I found it on the server. But it asked for a password.
I'm using Windows authentication, and used the password for the
machine, but, no luck.

Is there a standard password for the demo databases?


Other than OSQL, is query analyzer the standard interface to
SQL Server?

If you prefer command-line tools, take a look at the OSQL utility.

My preference for most tasks is Query Analyzer since it provides multiple
edit windows, object browsing, scripting features, graphical showplan, etc.
There are others who prefer Enterprise manager. To each his own.

--
Hope this helps.

Dan Guzman
SQL Server MVP

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Specify the '-E' for Windows authentication. You can list command-line
options with '-?'. The Books Online reference provides a thorough
description of the various options.

The pubs and Northwind databases have the 'guest' user enabled so anyone
with permissions to connect to SQL Server can access these. Enter a 'USE
<specify-database-name>' command to set the database context as desired.

--
Hope this helps.

Dan Guzman
SQL Server MVP

[quoted text, click to view]

There isn't really anything that I'd call "standard". Very few people use
OSQL, quite simply because they are intimidated with a command prompt.
Books Online will provide very gory details on all of the command line
options that you can use.

The vast majority of people use Query Analyzer and Enterprise Manager,
because they ship with the product. Enterprise Manager doesn't do anything
special. There are ZERO things that Enterprise Manager does that you can't
do yourself. It is simply a point/click GUI for T-SQL statements. Query
Analyzer is probably where you'll wind up for most of the stuff you are
doing. It is really nothing more than a notepad where you can type SQL,
execute it against the server, save it, and reload saved scripts. (There is
some additional functionality, but those comprise the majority of what you'd
do with QA.)

--
Mike
http://www.solidqualitylearning.com
Disclaimer: This communication is an original work and represents my sole
views on the subject. It does not represent the views of any other person
or entity either by inference or direct reference.


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