1) SQL Server Management Studio
SQL Server Management Studio, a.k.a SSMS, and its predecessor Query Analyzer have been the tools of choice for SQL Server database developers that prefer a GUI over a command line. SQL Server 2008 R2 includes support for SQL Azure in SSMS. Naturally, the version of SSMS that ships with SQL Server 2012 also supports the management and development of SQL Azure databases.
While the SSMS 2012 user interface looks a bit different than previous versions because it is now hosted in the WPF-based Visual Studio shell, connecting to a database is the same as connecting from SSMS 2008 R2.
Once connected, the Object Explorer tree looks very similar to an on-premises SQL Server database, although you'll notice that the server icon looks a bit different. Additionally, some folders such as Server Objects and Replication as well as the SQL Server Agent node are missing as this functionality is not currently available on the SQL Azure platform. Refer to MSDN for a list of the SQL Server features not currently supported on the SQL Azure platform.
Now that we have provisioned a SQL Azure server instance as well as created a SQL Azure database, let's create a table. Just like a regular SQL Server database, it's as simple as expanding the database node in Object Explorer, right-clicking the Tables folder and selecting New Table.... For some reason Microsoft has chosen not to provide the familiar table designer user interface. Instead it displays a CREATE TABLE script template. Below is a screen shot of a modified template used to create a PolicyTransactionFact table in our InsuranceDW database. All we had to do was name the table and add columns and data types. Once you have created your table definition you can either hit the F5 key on your keyboard or click the Execute button. The screen shot below was taken after executing the CREATE TABLE script.
Creating other types of SQL Azure objects is just as easy and is extremely similar to creating objects in on on-premises SQL Server database.
2) SQL Server Data Tools
SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) provides a declarative approach to database development that is more in line with Microsoft's Visual Studio-based application development paradigm. It is hosted within the Microsoft Visual Studio shell and is free for download on MSDN.
Microsoft would like SSMS to remain as an Administrative tool for SQL Server instances and databases but would like development work to be done in Visual Studio by way of SQL Server Data Tools projects. Additionally, starting with SQL Server 2012, SSDT replaces BIDS as the development environment for SSIS, SSAS, and SSRS.
The first step in SSDT-based database development is to create a SQL Server Database Project. Make sure you install SSDT prior to attempting to create this project type as it is not available with the default installation of SQL Server 2010.
Once you've created the SQL Server Database Project right-click the top-level project node in Solution Explorer and select Properties. Here is were we set the Target Platform to SQL Azure to make sure that our build output is compatible with the SQL Azure platform.
Once the project is created and the platform appropriately set we can begin to create database objects. Just as we did with SSMS, we'll create a table. As you can see below, SQL Server Database Projects provide a table designer so that you can create tables using a GUI as well as writing SQL.
Since SSDT is a declarative development environment we don't actually create physical objects on a server as we develop them in code. Once the developer is content with their development they must Publish the current SSDT representation of the database schema to the database server. This is done by right-clicking on the top-level database project node and selecting Publish.
At this point we are presented with a dialog requesting the publishing/deployment information.
Once the connection information and database name are entered hit the Publish button. The results of the publish can be seen in the Data Tools Operations window.
SSDT SQL Server Database Projects are extremely powerful and can play an integral role in DLM (database lifecycle management) and ALM (application lifecycle management) processes. I provide an argument for using SQL Server Database Projects' predecessor Visual Studio Database Project in my blog post titled Visual Studio 2010 Database Projects and also explain the evolution to SQL Server Database Projects in my blog post titled The Future of Visual Studio Database Projects.
3) SQL Azure Database Manager
The last database development tool I'll discuss is the web-based SQL Azure Database Manager. To use the Database Manager you'll need to log into the Azure Platform Portal and navigate to the Database section by clicking on the Database Link.
Now navigate the menu tree and select the appropriate database server.
Now click the "Manage" link.
Click the "Design" link in the lower left-hand corner of the screen.
Notice that we're in the Tables section and that we see a list of our tables. Click "New Table" to create a new table.
Summary
As you've seen, anyone can create a SQL Azure database (whether you want to pay or not) and use any one of the three tools we discussed to create and maintain database objects. SQL Azure isn't right for everyone, but for some organizations and situations it can be a very powerful tool. Hopefully this post will at least convince you to get your feet wet in case you find yourself in one of these situations so that you will have had enough exposure to SQL Azure to know what to do next. Good luck!
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