Visual Studio DB Professional 2010 Oracle Support

Quest Software has announced that they will be creating an Oracle Database Schema Provider for Visual Studio Team System 2010, which means that all Team System users having Oracle databases in their applications will get the same benefits from the Database Edition as those given to SQL Server databases.

Quest has opened up a Beta program on their TeamFuze.net site for Oracle Professionals using Team System.

Creating T-SQL Static Code Analysis Rules

Gert Drapers wrote a great detailed post on how to Create T-SQL Static Code Analysis Rules as one of the new features in the GDR release is that you can create your own T-SQL Static Code Analysis rules.

The post will guide you through creating your first rule.

VSTS 2008 Database Edition GDR Language Releases

Visual Studio Team System 2008 Database Team just released 6 additional languages of the recently released GDR on Microsoft Download Center as follows:

Chinese (Traditional, Taiwan)

• http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/9/D/19D1CB8C-82A8-4736-AFF4-51F2E343A312/Readme.mht
• http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/9/D/19D1CB8C-82A8-4736-AFF4-51F2E343A312/setup.exe

German

• http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/E/F/6EFD0F85-C8C3-4B47-9426-22B0ED4D12CE/Readme.mht
• http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/E/F/6EFD0F85-C8C3-4B47-9426-22B0ED4D12CE/setup.exe

Spanish

• http://download.microsoft.com/download/A/1/0/A10A906C-5CB9-4DAE-9CC2-B4B233B8AD6B/Readme.mht
• http://download.microsoft.com/download/A/1/0/A10A906C-5CB9-4DAE-9CC2-B4B233B8AD6B/setup.exe

Italian

• http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/3/1/6313DB42-DBC5-499F-AB3E-2119689A6A3E/Readme.mht
• http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/3/1/6313DB42-DBC5-499F-AB3E-2119689A6A3E/setup.exe

Japanese

• http://download.microsoft.com/download/3/D/1/3D14DB8E-4507-4AC3-BE96-DDD5E1FF1C8B/Readme.mht
• http://download.microsoft.com/download/3/D/1/3D14DB8E-4507-4AC3-BE96-DDD5E1FF1C8B/setup.exe

Korean

• http://download.microsoft.com/download/0/C/2/0C2CAB8A-08D4-4354-9883-502C2639DB04/Readme.mht
• http://download.microsoft.com/download/0/C/2/0C2CAB8A-08D4-4354-9883-502C2639DB04/setup.exe

VSTS Database Project Import Scripts Add-In

Patrick Sirr posted a detailed post about the latest VSTS Database Edition GDR Import Scripts Add-In that is amazing.

In this blog I’ll introduce you to the Import Scripts add-in to the General Distribution Release (GDR) for Visual Studio Team System 2008 Database Edition. With this add-in Visual Studio can import multiple scripts to populate a target database project. I’ve included the source code but, in order to compile the install project you’ll need to install Votive 3.0 (I used 3.0.4707.0).

VSTS 2008 Database Edition GDR is now RTW

I recently blogged about VSTS 2008 Database Edition GDR RC1 which is now finally a RTW available for download from Microsoft Download Center :)

VSTS 2008 Database Edition GDR RC1 is now available

Gert Drapers has just announced that VSTS 2008 Database Edition GDR Release Candidate 1 is now available for download from Microsoft Download Center.

This version will provide an upgrade path to the RTM so it worth trying out …

The documentation as well is available for downloading.

VSTS 2008 Database Edition GDR September CTP is now available

Visual Studio Team System 2008 Database Edition GDR September CTP is now available for download through Microsoft Download Center

In addition to providing support for SQL Server 2008 database projects, this release incorporates many previously released Power Tools as well as several new features.

The new features include distinct Build and Deploy phases, Static Code Analysis and improved integration with SQL CLR projects.

Database Edition no longer requires a Design Database. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to install an instance of SQL Express or SQL Server prior to using Database Edition.

SQL Server Support
SQL Server 2008

• All new data types:
  Intrinsic (date, datetime2, datetimeoffset, time)
  Built-in SQL CLR types (geography, geometry, hierarchyid)
• New DML
  Merge, table parameters, …

SQL Server Configuration Options

• Server option settings will be verified prior to deployment or set during deployment additional 1st Class Object Type Support
• Rules, defaults, Asymmetric keys, symmetric keys, certificates, …

Projects
Server Projects

• Server objects and option settings may be implemented in a separate Server Project
• This enables a team to define a standard a configuration for their SQL servers and reference it from their Database Projects

Partial projects

• Allowing code sharing between projects by including files from a different project, where the code is included as-is from the originating project and the source code control ownership remains with the originating project
• This enables code reuse and single sourcing while having a single deployment unit

Composite projects

• References to other database projects or .dbschema files that contribute to the same deployment unit.
• This enables the separation of development roles and responsibilities and composition of Databases using multiple projects.

Single sourcing of external artifacts
SQL-CLR references allow the user to create a reference to a SQL-CLR project or SQL-CLR assembly. This automatically becomes an ASSEMBLY type in the Database Project

Build and Deploy
The Build process now produces a separate portable schema output that is fed in to a redistributable deployment engine
A redistributable deployment engine. For example, to implement a setup application that deploys the Database Project.

Refactoring
Preservation of Intent

• Enables the deployment of refactoring changes as intended by the user (renames are deployed as renames not as drop/add statements for example)

New Refactoring Operations
Wildcard Expansion
Move Schema
Fully Qualify
Extensibility point which enables the ability to develop and deploy custom refactoring types and targets

Schema Compare
Now supports comparing Projects, Databases or dbschema files in any combination. For example, Project to Project, which has not been possible until now.
Object Type Filtering
Additional ignore filtering options

T-SQL Static Code Analysis
Including the ability to develop and deploy custom rules

Dependency Viewer
View the dependency relationship between objects in your schema

Unit testing
Supports execution with other ADO.NET providers

Data Generation
Design-time enhancements

• Smaller .dgen file
• Support for undo/redo
• Foreign key replacement
• Separation of population status into new display window

Runtime enhancements

• By default uses SqlBulkCopy to populate target tables
• Capability to register different outputs for generated data – i.e. generate to Excel or to file so you can use BCP to load
• By registering a custom output we have the capability to execute scripts at different points during data generation (i.e. before start/after completion or before/after a table

Extensibility
Data Generators
Statistical Data Distribution
Test Conditions
Static Code Analysis Rules
Refactoring Types
Refactoring Target

VSTS 2008 Database Edition Power Tools now available

VSTS 2008 Database Edition Power Tools is a set of enhancements and tools that complement and improve the user experience of VSTS Database Edition 2008

This release updates the Power Tools for the Database Edition to work with Visual Studio 2008 and provides several new features. The new features include two custom unit test conditions, a new Data Generation Wizard, and new MSBuild tasks to support running TSQL Static Code Analysis from the command line. The updated features include 5 refactoring types, a dependency viewer, additional data generators and editors, 2 MSBuild tasks for Schema and Data Compare and the TSQL Static Code Analysis feature

New Test Conditions for Database Unit Tests

• ChecksumCondition – You can use this test condition to verify that the checksum of the data set returned by a database unit test matches the checksum of an expected data set.
• ExpectedSchemaTestCondition – You can use this test condition to verify that the column names and data types of the returned data set match expected values.

Data Generator Improvements

• New Data Generator Wizard – This new wizard creates a data generation plan that is configured to copy data from a source database. You can use this wizard when you need to copy most of your data from a live source, but need to make small changes to ensure privacy.

MSBuild Task Improvements

• SqlAnalysis Task – You can use this build task to run T-SQL Static Code Analysis from MSBuild.

TSQL Static Code Analysis

• Static Code Analysis - A precursor to the functionality that will be in future versions of VSTS that will allow you to perform Static Code Analysis on T-SQL code.

Refactoring

• “Move Schema” Refactoring - Allows a user to right click on an object and move it to a different but existing schema
• SP Rename Generation - Generate a new script that will contain sp_renames for all rename refactored objects that the user can then execute.
• Wildcard Expansion - Automatically expand the wildcard in a select to the appropriate columns.
• Fully-Qualified Name Support - Automatically inject fully-qualified names when absent in a script
• Refactoring extended to Dataset - Refactor into strongly typed dataset definitions

MSBuild Tasks

• Data / Schema Compare Build Tasks - MSBuild tasks that can generate scripts as if the user had run the Data / Schema compare UI

Schema View

• API Access to Schema View - Insert / Update / Delete to schema View and list schema objects and their associated files

Dependency Tool Window

• Dependency Tree - Show the dependencies ( incoming / outgoing ) for selected schema objects in a new tool window

Miscellaneous Tools

• Script Preprocessor - Expand SQLCMD variables and include files and command line version (sqlspp.exe) & an MSBuild version ( wraps the command line version )

The power tool is available on MS Download Center

VSTS for DB Professionals SR1 Power Tools

VSTS for DB Professionals SR1 Power Tools is now available on MS

The Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Team Edition for Database Professionals Power Tools is a set of enhancements and tools that compliment and improve the user experience of Team Edition for Database Professionals

This release includes 5 new refactoring types, a new dependency viewer, additional data generators and editors, 2 new MSBuild tasks for Schema and Data Compare as well as the introduction of the TSQL Static Code Analysis feature

TSQL Static Code Analysis

• Static Code Analysis - A precursor to the functionality that will be in future versions of VSTS that will allow you to perform Static Code Analysis on T-SQL code.

Refactoring

• “Move Schema” Refactoring - Allows a user to right click on an object and move it to a different but existing schema
• SP Rename Generation - Generate a new script that will contain sp_renames for all rename refactored objects that the user can then execute.
• Wildcard Expansion - Automatically expand the wildcard in a select to the appropriate columns.
• Fully-Qualified Name Support - Automatically inject fully-qualified names when absent in a script
• Refactoring extended to Dataset - Refactor into strongly typed dataset definitions

MSBuild Tasks

• Data / Schema Compare Build Tasks - MSBuild tasks that can generate scripts as if the user had run the Data / Schema compare UI

Schema View

• API Access to Schema View - Insert / Update / Delete to schema View and list schema objects and their associated files

Dependency Tool Window

• Dependency Tree - Show the dependencies ( incoming / outgoing ) for selected schema objects in a new tool window

Miscellaneous Tools

• Script Preprocessor - Expand SQLCMD variables and include files and command line version (sqlspp.exe) & an MSBuild version ( wraps the command line version )

Service Release 1 (SR1) Update for Visual Studio 2005 Team Edition for Database Professionals has shipped

SR1 update for VSTS for Database Professionals is now released and available on Microsoft

This service release addresses the top issues that were found through feedback from customers and partners.

This release includes the following features:

• Cross-database references
  Support is improved to enable you to reference objects in different databases by using database project references or referencing a database metafile (.dbmeta). This support will reduce or eliminate the cross database reference warnings within a database project.
• Improved file support within SQL Server file groups
  You may define files within file groups as database project properties instead of having to create files and file groups within the pre-deployment storage script.
• Variables
  A Variables page is added to the database properties. This new page enables you to define setvar variables for use in the deployment scripts. Additionally, SR1 supports the latest service pack release from Microsoft SQL Server 2005 (SP2). The SR1 also supports the Windows Vista operating system.

VSTS for DB Professionals SP1 Pre-release

The DataDude team, aka the team that develops Visual Studio Team Edition for Database Professionals, has just published a preview of their first service release.

It's not just bug fixes, they've included a number of new features:

• 3+4 part name resolution through a new feature called "database references"
• File groups and files are now part of the project settings and can e fully parameterize then to fit your deployment needs (this replaces the need for the storage deployment script)
• SQLCMD variable support; this is enable through a new project property page for creating and editing variables that you can then use inside your scripts. Variables are stored inside the project file and can be mapped to MSBuild properties.

More details will be coming soon, but in the meantime check it out.

VSTS Future Releases ...

Microsoft released their roadmap for Team System and Team Foundation Server on MSDN.

Check it to see the many additions planned for VSTS and TFS, which target architects, developers, testers, and database professionals (in addition, of course, to project managers).

Database Unit Testing with VSTS for DB Professionals

Sachin Rekhi just published his detailed whitepaper on Database Unit Testing.

It can be found on MSDN VS2005 Technical Articles

Summary: Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Team Edition for Database Professionals is the first toolset to deliver a comprehensive framework for performing database unit tests. This product brings to the data community the same first-class capabilities for performing unit tests that many application developers enjoy today. This paper explains exactly what database unit testing is, shows you how to develop database unit tests by using the framework, and walks you through how to leverage its rich capabilities to develop an effective strategy for performing database unit tests inside your organization.

Changes to the VSTS for DB Professionals Download

Recently some changes to the download of the Visual Studio Team Edition for Database Professionals Add-on were made to try to clear up some initial confusion customers were reporting.

This is the add-on which installs into Visual Studio 2005 Team Suite edition and provides the additional functionality provided by Visual Studio Team Edition for Database Professionals.

Here is a quick list of the changes:

• Add-on no longer called a "Trial"
  The add-on can be used in a trial mode when installed with the Visual Studio 2005 Team Suite 180-day Trial Edition. When running in this mode you will get all of the Team Suite and Database Professionals functionality, and both of these solutions will stop working when your trial time period expires. However, if you own a "full" (non-trial) edition of Team Suite then this add-on will not expire since you are entitled to receive the Database Professionals functionality for free as a benefit of owning Team Suite edition. Hence it didn't really make sense to name this add-on a "Trial" by default when it can in fact be installed as a full add-on provided that you have an appropriate license to Team Suite.
  
• .EXE and .ISO available
  Previously only a .ISO file for download was offered, which required you to either mount that image or use a CD burning program to create media. They are still offering an .ISO file, but now they are also providing a self-extracting archive file (the .EXE) which you can download and quickly run to get started.
  
• Documentation Clarification
  Remember that this add-on does not provide the Team Edition for Database Professionals documentation. To get the documentation, you can either view it online or you can download and install a newer version of the MSDN Library which includes this documentation. The latest version is available here.

Hopefully those changes clear up some confusion - but if you still have questions please visit the Team Edition for Database Professionals Forum.

VSTS for DB Professionals Samples Project

A new project is now available on CodePlex for Visual Studio Team Edition for Database Professionals, please check it out http://www.codeplex.com/vsdbpro

The goal of this project is to share and collaborate on Visual Studio Team Edition for Database Professionals related sample projects and sample code.
In order to put some organizations in place they created five categories in which the samples have to fall.

• Data generators
• Data distributions
• Test conditions
• Sample projects
• Miscellaneous: tools and other helpful item that make the live of DataDude easier

VSTS for Database Professionals on MSDN Downloads

Visual Studio 2005 Team Edition for Database Professionals is now available for download from MSDN Subscriber Downloads. Also an updated version of MSDN Library with the documentation is available.

VSTS for Database Professionals Videos

A list of videos found on MSDN introducing VSTS for Database Professionals and how to use it.

• Visual Studio 2005 Team Edition for Database Professionals
• Add Transaction Support to Database Unit Tests
• Create a Custom Test Condition in VSTE for Database Professionals
• Configuring Design DB for Team Edition for Database Professionals
• Creating a database project with Team Edition for Database Professionals
• Team Edition for DB Pros 5 min Demo
• Importing a Database Schema and Adding it to Team Foundation Server Source Code Control Watch Video Download Video
• Creating a Test Project and a Database Unit Test Watch Video Download Video

VSTS for Database Professionals RTM Released

Finally, VSTS for Database Professionals is officially RTM ... with build x251

The product will show-up on the MSDN download site around December 7 or 8th

Great achievement !!

VSTS for Database Professionals RTM Sneak Peak

Matt Nunn, VSTS for Database Professionals Product Manager, provides a sneak peek into what to expect in the RTM for Database Professional Edition on TechEd

Get ready.... Visual Studio 2005 Team Edition for Database Professionals
will release to manufacture (RTM) at the end of November! Matt Nunn provides a
sneak peek into what we can expect to see.

MSF Process Guidance, DB Included

MS Released a new version of MSF Processes that supports VSTS for Database Professionals users for both MSF for Agile and MSF for CMMI

Process guidance for database professionals included in the Microsoft
Solutions Framework. This process guidance is the first of its kind in the
industry and demonstrates Microsoft’s commitment to making the database
professional a full-fledged participant in the application life cycle.