Working with SQL Server Express without SSMS

  • Hi guys,

    A big hello to all who love and want to fall in love with sql server which is my favorite.This is my first post I am writing in sql server central.

    Can you tell me, can we work with sql server express without SSMS. I am using sql server from last 3 years but when I installed sql server express there was no interface in it. I don't know what things we can do with sql server express without ssms. If we can't then why they are not providing management studio with it.

    I just want to do

    * Backup/Restore

    * Execute SQL Queries.

    * See the existing object(I mean kinda object explorer)

    Do these features available with sql server express without installing SSMS.

    Thank you for your support and Co-Operation.

    IshrarG

  • Ishrar, a few things.

    1) Congratulations on your first post being both coherent and explanatory. My hat is off to you for remembering to bring your brain to the discussion. 🙂

    2) Express DOES have SSMS, but you have to explicitly install it. If you rerun the installer make sure you select 'client tools'.

    3) Sql Server does have a command line, but it's not intuitive unless you're used to it, and it's kind of a pain in the arse. It's not like MySQL where you boot up the command line runner. Look into SQLCMD as your batch/non-SSMS interface to SQL Server. It's not pretty and it's easy to muck up, but it's your best alternative to avoiding the interface.


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  • Thank you very much for your supportive and explanatory reply....

    Yes, we use SSMS with SQL Express. Actually we are the software development company, and we have our applications installed at client side. Usually we don't need SQL Server MS after 1st setup except backing up database and rarely trouble shooting with data.

    Our management don't want us to install SSMS on client side because it is not required but I don't think my 1st setup process can be done without SSMS.

    It contains.

    Creating database

    Restore Default Database Structure or attach database

    Set specific user permission to database

    Remove windows authentication (I do in SSMS, I don't know non SSMS interface)

    And when we have application updates in the end of month we have to execute some sql scripts

    (around 200 lines come from development team, creating new SP /functions adding columns and blaa blaa)

    Can we do all this without SSMS?

    Thank you once again.

  • Everything can be done without SSMS.

    SQLExpress (and all other editions) install a command line tool, SQLCMD. Just about anything that can be done with SSMS can be done with SQLCMD, it just takes substantially more work (no wizards) so you have to learn the T-SQL.

    Do note that SQLExpress has no SQL Agent, so SSMS or no SSMS, you still can't create and schedule jobs. Scheduled backups on SQLExpress are typically done with batch files and the windows scheduler.

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • GilaMonster (6/5/2011)


    Everything can be done without SSMS.

    SQLExpress (and all other editions) install a command line tool, SQLCMD. Just about anything that can be done with SSMS can be done with SQLCMD, it just takes substantially more work (no wizards) so you have to learn the T-SQL.

    Do note that SQLExpress has no SQL Agent, so SSMS or no SSMS, you still can't create and schedule jobs. Scheduled backups on SQLExpress are typically done with batch files and the windows scheduler.

    Thank you Gil.

    I got answer of all my questions. I'll learn T-SQL, and will learn working with SQLCMD. If I'll have any trouble I'll ask you.

    Thank you both of you and SQL Server Central.

    I'll keep reading and answering other posts.

    Thanks a lot again.

    Ishrar.

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