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Choose the right tool to manage SQL Server on Linux

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Applies to: SQL Server - Linux

There are several ways to manage SQL Server on Linux. The following section provides a quick overview of different management tools and techniques with pointers to more resources.

mssql-conf

The mssql-conf tool configures SQL Server on Linux. For more information, see Configure SQL Server on Linux with mssql-conf.

Transact-SQL

Almost everything you can do in a client tool can also be accomplished with Transact-SQL statements. SQL Server provides Dynamic Management Views (DMVs) that query the status and configuration of SQL Server. There are also Transact-SQL commands for database management tasks. You can run these commands in any client tool that supports connecting to SQL Server and running Transact-SQL queries, for example sqlcmd or Visual Studio Code.

Azure Data Studio

The new Azure Data Studio is a cross-platform tool for managing SQL Server. For more information, see Azure Data Studio.

Named Pipes

The Named Pipes protocol isn't supported for SQL Server on Linux.

SQL Server Management Studio on Windows

SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is a Windows application that provides a graphical user interface for managing SQL Server. Although it currently runs only on Windows, you can use it to remotely connect to your Linux SQL Server instances. For more information on using SSMS to manage SQL Server, see Use SSMS to Manage SQL Server on Linux.

mssql-cli (preview)

Microsoft has released a new cross-platform scripting tool for SQL Server, mssql-cli. This tool is currently in preview.

PowerShell

PowerShell provides a rich command-line environment to manage SQL Server on Linux. For more information, see Use PowerShell to Manage SQL Server on Linux.

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