How to create a database in SSMS and connect to it in Visual Studio 2019

Question

Hello!

• SQL Server Management Studio
• Visual Studio 2019 Preview
• Microsoft SQL Server Enterprise Core 2017

This is the first time I do this and I am not sure of how to create a SQL database that I can use in Visual Studio 2019.
I will tell the steps I have done and please correct me on the way.

Step 1:
I have created a database and named it: "database1". As seen I run a Query to find out the exact path location of the database:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL14.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\database1.mdf

Step 2:
I am now trying to "Connect to Database" from Visual Studio 2019. As seen in the image below, I paste the Path to the database:

First I wonder if this is the correct way to do it?
Then, I wonder about the error messagebox that shows this message?

An attempt to attach an auto-named database for file "C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL14.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\database1.mdf" failed. A database with the same name exists, or specified file cannot be opened, or it is located on UNC share.

Thank you!

Answer 1

You have the wrong data source. VS tries to attach the database files into its own "internal" SQL Server, but that database file is already used by your installed SQL Server. Here's an image from my machine:

My machine name is TK. I have a named instance named A on that machine. I believe you have a default instance so insstead of TK\A, you just have the name of the machine where your SQL server is installed. And, of course pick the correct database name.