Monday

Tag: Microsoft SQL Server

Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 19.1


SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is an integrated environment for accessing, configuring, managing, administering, and developing all components of SQL Server. SSMS combines a broad group of graphical tools with a number of rich script editors to provide developers and administrators of all skill levels access to SQL Server.

The SSMS 19.x installation doesn’t upgrade or replace SSMS versions 18.x or earlier. SSMS 18.x installs side by side with previous versions, so both versions are available for use. However, if you have a preview version of SSMS 19.x installed, you must uninstall it before installing SSMS 19.1. You can see if you have the preview version by going to the Help > About window.

If a computer contains side-by-side installations of SSMS, verify you start the correct version for your specific needs. The latest version is labeled Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 19

What’s new in 19.1

New ItemDetails
Azure Data Studio installation integrationThe installation of SSMS installs Azure Data Studio 1.44.
Always EncryptedAdded support for secure enclaves and in-place encryption in the Always Encrypted Wizard.
Azure SQL Managed InstanceIntroduced visibility to the status of the Distributed Transaction Coordinator (DTC) service for Azure SQL Managed Instance. Object Explorer can be used to determine if DTC is enabled on the Azure SQL Managed Instance (within the Management node).
Backup/RestoreAdded capability to restore backup files from S3-compatible storage to SQL Server 2022 and Azure SQL Managed Instance.
General SSMSUpdated File Version for ssms.exe to align with product version.
General SSMSRemoved deprecated hardware from the list of available service-level objects.
General SSMSChanged the system browser setting, within Tools > Options > Azure Services, to default to True. The external browser will be used, instead of the legacy embedded browser.
General SSMSRemoved Vulnerability Assessment from SSMS.
Link feature for Azure SQL Managed InstanceAdded Network Checker wizard, providing the capability to test the network connection and ports prior to creating the link.
Link feature for Azure SQL Managed InstanceAdded an advanced network troubleshooting capability within the existing link creation wizard. This provides the capability to troubleshoot network connectivity issues while link creation is in progress.
Object ExplorerRemoved script header text when selecting the top 1000 rows.
PowerShellAdded ability for users to choose the version of PowerShell to use when launched from SSMS.
PowerShellIntroduced more PowerShell options within Tools > Options > SQL Server Object Explorer > Commands.

Beginning with SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 18.7, Azure Data Studio is automatically installed alongside SSMS. Users of SQL Server Management Studio are now able to benefit from the innovations and features in Azure Data Studio.

Continue reading “Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 19.1”

Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 18.12.1


SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is an integrated environment for accessing, configuring, managing, administering, and developing all components of SQL Server. SSMS combines a broad group of graphical tools with a number of rich script editors to provide developers and administrators of all skill levels access to SQL Server.

The SSMS 18.x installation doesn’t upgrade or replace SSMS versions 17.x or earlier. SSMS 18.x installs side by side with previous versions, so both versions are available for use. However, if you have a preview version of SSMS 18.x installed, you must uninstall it before installing SSMS 18.12. You can see if you have the preview version by going to the Help > About window.

If a computer contains side-by-side installations of SSMS, verify you start the correct version for your specific needs. The latest version is labeled Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 18.

Beginning with SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 18.7, Azure Data Studio is automatically installed alongside SSMS. Users of SQL Server Management Studio are now able to benefit from the innovations and features in Azure Data Studio.

Continue reading “Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 18.12.1”

Common Database Design Mistakes

When creating a new database instance, people will often make mistakes. While I can’t list all the mistakes that people can or will make, I hope this brief list will help you know what mistakes are possible, and help guide you to not making as many mistakes. Sometimes we attack a design problem with the idea that we will just get the work done, but most times it is better to take the extra time to do it right.

I’m not perfect, and I have made these (and many other) mistakes in database design. I’m not trying to tell you what to do or even how to do it. I’m just trying to take my lessons learned and provide a simple list so that you might not make the same mistakes. I also want to point out that no list will ever be the only way to do anything. With database design questions, the best answer is usually “it depends”. When considering the many variables that make up your environment, you will need to make many decisions that help your database instance work best in your unique environment. You have to take into account the personnel you are working with, the limits of your hardware, company policies, etc.

Database design and implementation is the cornerstone of any database related project and should be treated will the importance that deserves. If you do your job really well, people will tend to minimize how important your job is in getting their projects completed. Like a police department that does a good job catching and locking up criminals, people start wondering why they need so many policemen when the crime rate goes down. People might start asking why they need your help in getting good database design, but it will only take a few failed projects for them to come back to you for your professional help.

Continue reading “Common Database Design Mistakes”

Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 18.11.1


SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is an integrated environment for accessing, configuring, managing, administering, and developing all components of SQL Server. SSMS combines a broad group of graphical tools with a number of rich script editors to provide developers and administrators of all skill levels access to SQL Server.

The SSMS 18.x installation doesn’t upgrade or replace SSMS versions 17.x or earlier. SSMS 18.x installs side by side with previous versions so both versions are available for use. If you have a previous GA version of SSMS 18 installed, installing SSMS 18.10 upgrades it to 18.10.

If a computer contains side-by-side installations of SSMS, verify you start the correct version for your specific needs. The latest version is labeled Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 18.

Beginning with SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 18.7, Azure Data Studio is automatically installed alongside SSMS. Users of SQL Server Management Studio are now able to benefit from the innovations and features in Azure Data Studio.

Continue reading “Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 18.11.1”

Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 18.10


SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is an integrated environment for accessing, configuring, managing, administering, and developing all components of SQL Server. SSMS combines a broad group of graphical tools with a number of rich script editors to provide developers and administrators of all skill levels access to SQL Server.

The SSMS 18.x installation doesn’t upgrade or replace SSMS versions 17.x or earlier. SSMS 18.x installs side by side with previous versions so both versions are available for use. If you have a previous GA version of SSMS 18 installed, installing SSMS 18.10 upgrades it to 18.10.

If a computer contains side-by-side installations of SSMS, verify you start the correct version for your specific needs. The latest version is labeled Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 18.

Beginning with SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 18.7, Azure Data Studio is automatically installed alongside SSMS. Users of SQL Server Management Studio are now able to benefit from the innovations and features in Azure Data Studio.

Continue reading “Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 18.10”

Understanding SQL Server Databases

To manage a database server, you need to understand the types of databases available and the location of those databases. There are two types of databases available in SQL Server:

  1. System Databases
  2. User Databases

System Databases

The system databases are default databases that are created when SQL Server is installed. These databases are used for various operational and management activities for SQL Server, and you have no control over the contents of those databases when they are originally created.

Types of System Databases

There are four system databases in SQL Server:

  • master
  • msdb
  • model
  • tempdb

There is also a fairly recent addition to the group called the resource database. It is very similar to the standard system databases but you need to know that it is hidden from your traditional view through the SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) GUI and you have read-only access to the data it contains.

Continue reading “Understanding SQL Server Databases”

Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 18.9.2


SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is an integrated environment for accessing, configuring, managing, administering, and developing all components of SQL Server. SSMS combines a broad group of graphical tools with a number of rich script editors to provide developers and administrators of all skill levels access to SQL Server.

The SSMS 18.x installation doesn’t upgrade or replace SSMS versions 17.x or earlier. SSMS 18.x installs side by side with previous versions so both versions are available for use. If you have a previous GA version of SSMS 18 installed, installing SSMS 18.9.2 upgrades it to 18.9.2.

If a computer contains side-by-side installations of SSMS, verify you start the correct version for your specific needs. The latest version is labeled Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 18.

Beginning with SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 18.7, Azure Data Studio is automatically installed alongside SSMS. Users of SQL Server Management Studio are now able to benefit from the innovations and features in Azure Data Studio.

Continue reading “Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 18.9.2”

Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 18.9.1


SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is an integrated environment for accessing, configuring, managing, administering, and developing all components of SQL Server. SSMS combines a broad group of graphical tools with a number of rich script editors to provide developers and administrators of all skill levels access to SQL Server.

The SSMS 18.x installation doesn’t upgrade or replace SSMS versions 17.x or earlier. SSMS 18.x installs side by side with previous versions so both versions are available for use. If you have a previous GA version of SSMS 18 installed, installing SSMS 18.9.1 upgrades it to 18.9.1.

If a computer contains side-by-side installations of SSMS, verify you start the correct version for your specific needs. The latest version is labeled Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 18.

Beginning with SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 18.7, Azure Data Studio is automatically installed alongside SSMS. Users of SQL Server Management Studio are now able to benefit from the innovations and features in Azure Data Studio.

Continue reading “Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 18.9.1”

Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 18.8


SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is an integrated environment for accessing, configuring, managing, administering, and developing all components of SQL Server. SSMS combines a broad group of graphical tools with a number of rich script editors to provide developers and administrators of all skill levels access to SQL Server.

The SSMS 18.x installation doesn’t upgrade or replace SSMS versions 17.x or earlier. SSMS 18.x installs side by side with previous versions so both versions are available for use. If you have a previous GA version of SSMS 18 installed, installing SSMS 18.8 upgrades it to 18.8.

If a computer contains side-by-side installations of SSMS, verify you start the correct version for your specific needs. The latest version is labeled Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 18.

Continue reading “Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 18.8”

Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 18.8


SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is an integrated environment for accessing, configuring, managing, administering, and developing all components of SQL Server. SSMS combines a broad group of graphical tools with a number of rich script editors to provide developers and administrators of all skill levels access to SQL Server.

The SSMS 18.x installation doesn’t upgrade or replace SSMS versions 17.x or earlier. SSMS 18.x installs side by side with previous versions so both versions are available for use. If you have a previous GA version of SSMS 18 installed, installing SSMS 18.8 upgrades it to 18.8.

If a computer contains side-by-side installations of SSMS, verify you start the correct version for your specific needs. The latest version is labeled Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 18.

Continue reading “Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 18.8”

Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 18.7.1


SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is an integrated environment for accessing, configuring, managing, administering, and developing all components of SQL Server. SSMS combines a broad group of graphical tools with a number of rich script editors to provide developers and administrators of all skill levels access to SQL Server.

SSMS 18.7.1 is the latest general availability (GA) version of SSMS. If you have a previous GA version of SSMS 18 installed, installing SSMS 18.7.1 upgrades it to 18.7.1. Beginning with SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 18.7, Azure Data Studio is automatically installed alongside SSMS.

Continue reading “Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 18.7.1”

Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 18.6


SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is an integrated environment for accessing, configuring, managing, administering, and developing all components of SQL Server. SSMS combines a broad group of graphical tools with a number of rich script editors to provide developers and administrators of all skill levels access to SQL Server.

The SSMS 18.x installation doesn’t upgrade or replace SSMS versions 17.x or earlier. SSMS 18.x installs side by side with previous versions so both versions are available for use. However, if you have a preview version of SSMS 18.x installed, you must uninstall it before installing SSMS 18.6.

If a computer contains side-by-side installations of SSMS, verify you start the correct version for your specific needs. The latest version is labeled Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 18.

Continue reading “Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 18.6”

Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 18.5.1


SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is an integrated environment for accessing, configuring, managing, administering, and developing all components of SQL Server. SSMS combines a broad group of graphical tools with a number of rich script editors to provide developers and administrators of all skill levels access to SQL Server.

The SSMS 18.x installation doesn’t upgrade or replace SSMS versions 17.x or earlier. SSMS 18.x installs side by side with previous versions so both versions are available for use. However, if you have a preview version of SSMS 18.x installed, you must uninstall it before installing SSMS 18.5.1.

If a computer contains side-by-side installations of SSMS, verify you start the correct version for your specific needs. The latest version is labeled Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 18.

Continue reading “Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 18.5.1”

Common Database Design Mistakes

When creating a new database instance, people will often make mistakes. While I can’t list all the mistakes that people can or will make, I hope this brief list will help you know what mistakes are possible, and help guide you to not making as many mistakes. Sometimes we attack a design problem with the idea that we will just get the work done, but most times it is better to take the extra time to do it right.

I’m not perfect, and I have made these (any many other) mistakes in database design. I’m not trying to tell you what to do or even how to do it. I’m just trying to take my lessons learned and provide a simple list so that you might not make the same mistakes. I also want to point out that no list will ever be the only way to do anything. With database design questions, the best answer is usually “it depends”. When considering the many variables that make up your environment, you will need to make many decisions that help your database instance work best in your unique environment. You have to take into account the personnel you are working with, limits of your hardware, company policies, etc.

Database design and implementation is the cornerstone of any database related project and should be treated will the importance that deserves. If you do your job really well, people will tend to minimize how important your job is in getting their  projects completed. Like a police department that does a good job catching and locking up criminals, people start wondering why they need so many policemen when the crime rate goes down. People might start asking why they need your help in getting good database design, but it will only take a few failed projects for them to come back to you for your professional help.

Continue reading “Common Database Design Mistakes”

Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 18.5


SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is an integrated environment for accessing, configuring, managing, administering, and developing all components of SQL Server. SSMS combines a broad group of graphical tools with a number of rich script editors to provide developers and administrators of all skill levels access to SQL Server.

The SSMS 18.x installation doesn’t upgrade or replace SSMS versions 17.x or earlier. SSMS 18.x installs side by side with previous versions so both versions are available for use. However, if you have a preview version of SSMS 18.x installed, you must uninstall it before installing SSMS 18.5.

If a computer contains side-by-side installations of SSMS, verify you start the correct version for your specific needs. The latest version is labeled Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 18.

Continue reading “Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 18.5”

Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 18.4


SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is an integrated environment for accessing, configuring, managing, administering, and developing all components of SQL Server. SSMS combines a broad group of graphical tools with a number of rich script editors to provide developers and administrators of all skill levels access to SQL Server.

The SSMS 18.x installation doesn’t upgrade or replace SSMS versions 17.x or earlier. SSMS 18.x installs side by side with previous versions so both versions are available for use. However, if you have a preview version of SSMS 18.x installed, you must uninstall it before installing SSMS 18.4.

If a computer contains side-by-side installations of SSMS, verify you start the correct version for your specific needs. The latest version is labeled Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 18.

Continue reading “Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 18.4”

Microsoft SQL Server Trace Flag List

A list of known SQL Server Trace Flags that I think helps communicate this important information. Trace Flags are additional settings that in some way alters the default behavior of SQL Server. You can use these in a couple of different ways:

  • You can use the DBCC TRACEON and DBCC TRACEOFF commands
  • You can use the -T option in the startup configuration for the SQL Server Service

You can use the DBCC TRACESTATUS command to check which flags are enabled, if any. You can also get some of this information directly from Microsoft.

Trace Flags:

Trace Flag : 101
Function: Verbose Merge Replication logging output for troubleshooting Merger repl performance

Trace Flag : 102
Function: Verbose Merge Replication logging to msmerge_history table for troubleshooting Merger repl performance

Trace Flag : 105
Function: Join more than 16 tables in SQL server 6.5

Trace Flag : 106
Function: This enables you to see the messages that are sent to and from the Publisher, if you are using Web Synchronization

Trace Flag : 107
Function: Alter input rules for decimal numbers

Trace Flag : 168
Function: Bugfix in ORDER BY

Trace Flag : 205
Function: Log usage of AutoStat/Auto Update Statistics

Continue reading “Microsoft SQL Server Trace Flag List”

Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 18.3.1


SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is an integrated environment for accessing, configuring, managing, administering, and developing all components of SQL Server. SSMS combines a broad group of graphical tools with a number of rich script editors to provide developers and administrators of all skill levels access to SQL Server.

Microsoft has announced the latest release of SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) in October as a free download. SSMS 18.3.1 is now available.

Get it here:

Download – The version number for the latest release is 15.0.18183.0

New in this release

New ItemDescription
Data ClassificationAdd Data Classification information to column properties UI (Information Type, Information Type ID, Sensitivity Label, and Sensitivity Label ID aren’t exposed in the SSMS UI).
Intellisense/EditorUpdated support for features recently added to SQL Server 2019 (for example “ALTER SERVER CONFIGURATION”).
Integration ServicesAdd a new selection menu item Tools > Migrate to Azure > Configure Azure-enabled DTExec that invokes Integration services (SSIS) package executions on Azure-SSIS Integration Runtime as Execute SSIS Package activities in ADF pipelines.
SMO/ScriptingAdded support for Support scripting of Azure SQL DW unique constraint.
SMO/ScriptingData Classification – Added support for SQL version 10 (SQL 2008) and higher. – Added new sensitivity attribute ‘rank’ for SQL version 15 (SQL 2019) and higher and Azure SQL DB.

Continue reading “Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 18.3.1”

Common Database Design Mistakes

When creating a new database instance, people will often make mistakes. While I can’t list all the mistakes that people can or will make, I hope this brief list will help you know what mistakes are possible, and help guide you to not making as many mistakes. Sometimes we attack a design problem with the idea that we will just get the work done, but most times it is better to take the extra time to do it right.

I’m not perfect, and I have made these (any many other) mistakes in database design. I’m not trying to tell you what to do or even how to do it. I’m just trying to take my lessons learned and provide a simple list so that you might not make the same mistakes. I also want to point out that no list will ever be the only way to do anything. With database design questions, the best answer is usually “it depends”. When considering the many variables that make up your environment, you will need to make many decisions that help your database instance work best in your unique environment. You have to take into account the personnel you are working with, limits of your hardware, company policies, etc.

Database design and implementation is the cornerstone of any database related project and should be treated will the importance that deserves. If you do your job really well, people will tend to minimize how important your job is in getting their  projects completed. Like a police department that does a good job catching and locking up criminals, people start wondering why they need so many policemen when the crime rate goes down. People might start asking why they need your help in getting good database design, but it will only take a few failed projects for them to come back to you for your professional help.

Continue reading “Common Database Design Mistakes”

SQL Server End-Of-Life Schedule by Microsoft

There are SQL Server end-of-life dates you should be monitoring. Once a system has reached end-of-life you will no longer receive support from Microsoft, and there will be compliance issues as auditors will have issues with unsupported production systems having potential security issues. You should develop a written plan to upgrade existing systems to a supported version, test the plan to verify you won’t have any issues, and implement the plan before your existing systems reach end-of-life.

This chart from Microsoft will help you understand the end-of-life dates for the various versions of SQL Server.

SummarySQL Server 7   - 1/11/2011SQL Server 2000- 4/09/2013SQL Server 2005- 4/12/2016SQL Server 2008- 7/09/2019SQL Server 2008 R2 - 7/09/2019SQL Server 2012- 7/12/2022SQL Server 2014- 7/09/2024SQL Server 2016- 7/14/2026

Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 18.2


SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is an integrated environment for accessing, configuring, managing, administering, and developing all components of SQL Server. SSMS combines a broad group of graphical tools with a number of rich script editors to provide developers and administrators of all skill levels access to SQL Server.

Microsoft has announced the latest release of SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) in July as a free download. SSMS 18.2 is now available, and is the latest general availability (GA) version of SQL Server Management Studio that provides support for SQL Server 2019 preview!

Get it here:

Download – The version number for the latest release is 15.0.18142.0

New in this release

New ItemDetails
Always EncryptedUpdated the Enclave Provider to support Azure Attestation.
Intellisense/EditorAdded support for Data Classification
OPTIMIZE_FOR_SEQUENTIAL_KEYSSMS Index dialog – added new index option OPTIMIZE_FOR_SEQUENTIAL_KEY
OPTIMIZE_FOR_SEQUENTIAL_KEYAdded Intellisense support
Query Execution or ResultsAdded a “Completion time” in the messages to track when a given query completed its execution.
Query Execution or ResultsAllow more data to be displayed (Result to Text) and stored in cells (Result to Grid). SSMS now allows up to 2M characters for both (up from 256 and 64 K, respectively). This also addressed the issue of users not able to grab more than 43680 chars from the cells of the grid.
ShowPlanAdded a new attribute in QueryPlan when inline scalar UDF feature is enabled (ContainsInlineScalarTsqlUdfs).
SMOAdded support for “Feature Restrictions”.
SMOAssessment Extensions.
Integration Services (SSIS)Perf optimization for SSIS package scheduler in Azure

Continue reading “Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 18.2”

Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 18.1


SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is an integrated environment for accessing, configuring, managing, administering, and developing all components of SQL Server. SSMS combines a broad group of graphical tools with a number of rich script editors to provide developers and administrators of all skill levels access to SQL Server.

Microsoft has announced the latest release of SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) in June as a free download.

Get it here:

Download – The version number for the latest release is 15.0.18131.0

New in this release

  • Database diagrams – Database diagrams were added back into SSMS.
  • SSBDIAGNOSE.EXE – The SQL Server Diagnose command line tool was added back into the SSMS package.
  • Integration Services (SSIS) – Support for scheduling SSIS package, located in SSIS Catalog in Azure or File System, in Azure. There are three entries for launching the New Schedule dialog, New Schedule… menu item shown when right-clicking the SSIS package in SSIS Catalog in Azure, Schedule SSIS Package in Azure menu item under Migrate to Azure menu item under Tools menu item and “Schedule SSIS in Azure” shown when right-clicking Jobs folder under SQL Server agent of Azure SQL Database Managed Instance.

Version Information

  • Release number: 18.1
  • Build number: 15.0.18131.0
  • Release date: June 11, 2019

The SSMS 18.x installation does not upgrade or replace SSMS versions 17.x or earlier. SSMS 18.x installs side by side with previous versions so both versions are available for use.

If a computer contains side by side installations of SSMS, verify you start the correct version for your specific needs. The latest version is labeled Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 18.

  • This version of SSMS works with all supported versions of SQL Server 2008 – SQL Server 2019 preview and provides the greatest level of support for working with the latest cloud features in Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Data Warehouse.
  • Additionally, SSMS 18.x can be installed side by side with SSMS 17.x, SSMS 16.x, or SQL Server 2014 SSMS and earlier.
  • SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) – SSMS version 17.x or later does not support connecting to the legacy SQL Server Integration Services service. To connect to an earlier version of the legacy Integration Services, use the version of SSMS aligned with the version of SQL Server. For example, use SSMS 16.x to connect to the legacy SQL Server 2016 Integration Services service. SSMS 17.x and SSMS 16.x can be installed side-by-side on the same computer. Since the release of SQL Server 2012, the SSIS Catalog database, SSISDB, is the recommended way to store, manage, run, and monitor Integration Services packages.

Free Download: SQL Server Management Studio 18.0


SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is an integrated environment for accessing, configuring, managing, administering, and developing all components of SQL Server. SSMS combines a broad group of graphical tools with a number of rich script editors to provide developers and administrators of all skill levels access to SQL Server.

Microsoft has announced the latest release of SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) in April as a free download.

Get it here:

Download – The version number for the latest release is 15.0.18118.0

New in this release

SSMS 18.0 is no longer in preview and is the first general availability (GA) version of SSMS 18.0. If you have a preview versions of SSMS 18.0 installed, uninstall it before installing SSMS 18.0 GA.

Version Information

  • Release number: 18.0 (GA)
  • Build number: 15.0.18118.0
  • Release date: April 24, 2019

The SSMS 18.x installation does not upgrade or replace SSMS versions 17.x or earlier. SSMS 18.x installs side by side with previous versions so both versions are available for use.

If a computer contains side by side installations of SSMS, verify you start the correct version for your specific needs. The latest version is labeled Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 18.

  • This version of SSMS works with all supported versions of SQL Server 2008 – SQL Server 2019 preview and provides the greatest level of support for working with the latest cloud features in Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Data Warehouse.
  • Additionally, SSMS 18.x can be installed side by side with SSMS 17.x, SSMS 16.x, or SQL Server 2014 SSMS and earlier.
  • SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) – SSMS version 17.x or later does not support connecting to the legacy SQL Server Integration Services service. To connect to an earlier version of the legacy Integration Services, use the version of SSMS aligned with the version of SQL Server. For example, use SSMS 16.x to connect to the legacy SQL Server 2016 Integration Services service. SSMS 17.x and SSMS 16.x can be installed side-by-side on the same computer. Since the release of SQL Server 2012, the SSIS Catalog database, SSISDB, is the recommended way to store, manage, run, and monitor Integration Services packages.

Faster Backups with SQL Server Backup Compression

Database compression is a feature that Microsoft introduced in SQL Server 2008, but many people still don’t understand or regularly use the feature. The power of this feature is to both speed up the backup process, and to save disk space. The speed benefit is a result of reduced disk activity as you stream the compressed backup file directly to disk. You can use all your available CPU cycles to perform the backup straight to disk, and since the smaller file is saved to disk you will probably reduce any potential delay as you write the backup file to disk. The other obvious benefit is the resulting backup file can also be much smaller. In my experience, I’ve seen compression between 20-50 percent, but you will need to test your backup to determine your real space savings based on the contents of the database and how well your data can be compressed.

Perform a test backup without compression and see how long it takes and how large the resulting BAK file is for your sample database. Then backup the same database using compression to see if it is faster and how much smaller the BAK file is when it is complete.

To create compressed database backups, all you need to do is add the COMPRESSION option to the BACKUP command as shown below:

BACKUP DATABASE MyDatabase TO DISK = 'H:\BACKUPS\MyDatabase.BAK' WITH FORMAT, COMPRESSION;

Compression has been a feature available with SQL Server 2017 in both the Standard and Enterprise editions:

FeatureEnterpriseStandardWebExpress with Advanced ServicesExpress
Server core support 1YesYesYesYesYes
Log shippingYesYesYesNoNo
Database mirroringYesYes

Full safety only

Witness onlyWitness onlyWitness only
Backup compressionYesYesNoNoNo
Database snapshotYesYesYesYesYes
Always On failover cluster instances2YesYesNoNoNo
Always On availability groups3YesNoNoNoNo
Basic availability groups 4NoYesNoNoNo
Online page and file restoreYesNoNoNoNo
Online indexingYesNoNoNoNo
Resumable online index rebuildsYesNoNoNoNo
Online schema changeYesNoNoNoNo
Fast recoveryYesNoNoNoNo
Mirrored backupsYesNoNoNoNo
Hot add memory and CPUYesNoNoNoNo
Database recovery advisorYesYesYesYesYes
Encrypted backupYesYesNoNoNo
Hybrid backup to Windows Azure (backup to URL)YesYesNoNoNo

You can read more about compression here.

SQL Server Temporary Tables

This article by “Phil Factor” is a useful description of how to use the Temp Database in SQL Server, with a lot of detail on using temporary tables.

You should read this to better understand the TempDB in SQL Server.

-- Find out who created the temporary table,and when; the culprit and SPId.SELECT DISTINCT te.name, t.Name, t.create_date, SPID, SessionLoginNameFROM ::fn_trace_gettable( ( SELECT LEFT(path, LEN(path)-CHARINDEX('', REVERSE(path))) +'Log.trc'   FROM    sys.traces -- read all five trace files   WHERE   is_default = 1), DEFAULT) traceINNER JOIN sys.trace_events te on trace.EventClass = te.trace_event_idINNER JOIN TempDB.sys.tables  AS t ON trace.ObjectID = t.OBJECT_IDWHERE trace.DatabaseName = 'TempDB'  AND t.Name LIKE '#%'  AND te.name = 'Object:Created'  AND DATEPART(dy,t.create_date)= DATEPART(Dy,trace.StartTime)  AND ABS(DATEDIFF(Ms,t.create_date,trace.StartTime))<50 --sometimes slightly outORDER BY t.create_date
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