SQL Server Data Tools
As with the installation of SSMS, SQL Server Data Tools is also offered as a separate download. This can be found using the SQL Server setup screen shown at the beginning of the chapter. Clicking on Install SQL Server Data Tools
will launch a web browser, directing you to the Downloads
page for SSDT. This Downloads
page offers the latest stable build and also the latest release candidate of the next version of SSDT (with the usual warning of a release candidate not being production ready). SSDT is delivered with the same Visual Studio Integrated Shell as SSMS, and can be installed as a standalone tool. However, SSDT is aimed at developers and the workflows associated with developing database solutions as a team member. This includes the processes of source control and the packaging of project deployments. With this in mind, it is also possible to install SSDT on a machine that has the full Visual Studio environment installed. Doing so will integrate SSDT into Visual...