How to Add a SQL Server Connection in VS Code: A Comprehensive Guide

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) has become a favorite code editor for developers worldwide, thanks to its flexibility and extensive range of extensions. For database developers, the MSSQL extension is a game-changer, allowing seamless interaction with SQL Server directly from the editor. This guide will walk you through the process of connecting to a SQL Server database using the MSSQL extension in VS Code, enhancing your workflow and productivity.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following prerequisites in place:

• Visual Studio Code: If you haven’t already, download and install VS Code from the official website. It’s free and available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• MSSQL Extension: Install the MSSQL extension within VS Code. Open VS Code, navigate to the Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X or Cmd+Shift+X), search for mssql, and click Install.
• Access to SQL Server: You need access to a SQL Server instance. This could be:
  • Local SQL Server: A SQL Server instance running on your local machine.
  • SQL Server in a Container: SQL Server running within a Docker container.
  • Cloud-based SQL Server: Such as Azure SQL Database or AWS RDS for SQL Server.
  • On-premises SQL Server: A SQL Server instance hosted on your company’s network.

Step-by-Step Guide to Connect to SQL Server

Follow these steps to establish a connection to your SQL Server database using the MSSQL extension in VS Code:

1. Launch Visual Studio Code and Open MSSQL Extension:
   Start Visual Studio Code. Open the MSSQL extension by clicking on the server icon in the Activity Bar on the left side (or press Ctrl+Alt+D on Windows/Linux or Cmd+Alt+D on macOS). The server viewlet will appear, providing an interface for database connections.

2. Initiate New Connection:
   In the MSSQL extension view, click on the “+” icon (usually labeled “Connect to Database”) to create a new connection profile.

3. Configure Connection Profile:
   You will be prompted to provide connection details. The MSSQL extension offers different input types. For this guide, we will use the Parameter input type and SQL Login for authentication.

   Fill in the connection properties as follows:

   | Connection Property | Value | Description