How to: Create Empty Database Projects
A database project is the offline representation of your database. You can put the database project under version control, which you can use to manage changes to your database. If you want to manage change to an existing database, instead of a new database, see How to: Create Database Projects.
Note
You will receive an error message when you create a database project if you do not have permissions to create a database in the local instance of Microsoft SQL Server that is used for design-time validation. If you are not logged on with administrative credentials on your computer, you might have to ask your administrator to grant you permissions to create databases in SQL Server. For more information, see How to: Specify the Local Instance of SQL Server to use for Design-time Validation.
If you choose not to import a database schema, you can also create an empty database by using the New Database Project Wizard. For more information, see How to: Create Database Projects.
To create a database project in a new solution
On the File menu, point to New, and click Project.
The New Project dialog box appears.
Under Project Types, expand the Database Projects node, and click Microsoft SQL Server.
Under Templates, icons for Microsoft SQL Server 2000 and SQL Server 2005 appear. You will also see icons for the New Database Project Wizard. For more information about them, see How to: Create Database Projects.
Click the icon that corresponds to the version of SQL Server that you want.
Note
You can also change the target database version later. For more information, see How to: Change the Target Database Version.
In Name, type a name for this database project.
In Location, type the location (or click Browse to search for it) where the database project will reside on your local computer.
In Solution Name, type a name for the solution that contains this database project.
Select the Add to Source Control check box if you want to add the initial solution and project to source control. You can always add it to source control later if you choose. For more information, see How to: Put Database Projects Under Version Control.
Click OK to create the solution and database project.
Solution Explorer displays the newly created solution and database project. You must now configure your database project settings before you can build and deploy your database project. For more information, see How to: Configure Database Projects for Build and Deployment.
To create a database project in an existing solution
On the File menu, point to Add, and click New Project.
The Add Project dialog box appears.
Under Project Types, expand the Database Projects node, and click the Microsoft SQL Server child node.
Under Templates, icons for Microsoft SQL Server 2000 and SQL Server 2005 appear. . You will also see icons for the New Database Project Wizard. For more information about them, see How to: Create Database Projects.
Click the icon that corresponds to the version of SQL Server that you want to target.
Note
You can also change the target database version later. For more information, see How to: Change the Target Database Version.
In Name, type the name that you want to give this database project.
In Location, type the location (or click Browse to search for it) where the database project will reside on your local computer.
Click OK to create the database project.
Solution Explorer displays the newly created database project. . You must now configure your database project settings before you can build and deploy your database project. For more information, see How to: Configure Database Projects for Build and Deployment.
See Also
Tasks
How to: Create Database Projects
Walkthrough: Create and Deploy a New Version-controlled Database
Concepts
An Overview of Database Creation and Deployment in a Team Environment
Terminology Overview of Team Edition for Database Professionals
Other Resources
Getting Started with Database Projects
Working with Database Projects in a Team Environment