Overview of Transact-SQL Editor
You can author, validate, and execute Transact-SQL (T-SQL) scripts and queries in the T-SQL editor. You can also use the editor to modify definitions of database objects such as tables, views, indexes, stored procedures, and so on. The T-SQL editor is your primary way to author scripts that run before and after you deploy a database. The T-SQL editor provides the same basic functionality as the code editors for Visual C# or Visual Basic.
Features of the T-SQL editor include the following:
All common features for Visual Studio editors, which include find and replace, bookmarks, block indent and un-indent, integration with the Visual Studio Error List window, and block commenting and un-commenting.
Support for shortcut keys compatible with other editors and SQL Server Management Studio.
SQL syntax coloration for different versions of Transact-SQL (for Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2000) to improve readability and make the creation of complex statements easier.
Validation of SQL syntax without executing the script or query.
Ability to edit while disconnected.
Multiple sets of query results, displayed either as a grid, as text, or saved to a file on disk.
Collection and display of client statistics when you run queries.
Ability to execute multiple queries in one editor instance, with multiple result sets generated. The queries are executed sequentially.
Ability to execute multiple queries at the same time in different editor instances.
Configurable settings for executing query
Support for SQLCMD
Database Sessions and Connections
You can have multiple instances of the T-SQL editor open at the same time. You can execute scripts or queries at the same time in the different sessions. This approach is useful if you have multiple, long-running queries, such as re-indexing operations.
In an individual T-SQL editor instance, you can work while connected or disconnected. However, you can always edit scripts and queries but you cannot validate or execute queries if you do not have a connection to a database. Without closing your session, you can change databases or connect to a different server.
The same T-SQL editor is used when you open a database object from Schema View or the file that contains that object from Solution Explorer. When you modify a database object, you are editing the underlying .sql file. To update the database on the server, you must build and deploy your changes.
See Also
Tasks
How to: Start the Transact-SQL Editor
Walkthrough: Create and Execute a Simple Transact-SQL Script
How to: Modify Database Objects
Concepts
Terminology Overview of Database Edition
Other Resources
Transact-SQL Editing Essentials
Managing Database Connections within the Transact-SQL Editor