Overview

Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database management system developed by Microsoft. As a database server, its primary function is storing and retrieving data, as other software applications request. These applications may run on the same computer or another computer across a network, including the Internet.

SQL Server is available in multiple editions, each with distinct feature sets tailored to different users. This document focuses on SQL Server Express Edition, a scaled-down, free version of SQL Server that includes the core database engine.

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QL Server Management Studio

SQL Server Management Studio is a GUI tool included with SQL Server 2005 and later used for configuring, managing, and administering all components within Microsoft SQL Server. The tool comprises script editors and graphical tools that work with objects and features of the server. You can also use it to create a new database, change any existing database schema by adding or modifying tables and indexes, or analyze performance, including the query windows, which provide a GUI-based interface to write and execute queries.

Creating a New Account

SQL Server Authentication is a default mechanism to connect to MS SQL Server. However, there are times when you need to use SQL Server Authentication to connect to the server. To use it, follow the steps below to create a SQL Server Authentication Login ID.

  1. Run Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio.
  2. In the Object Explorer, access Security.
  3. Right-click Logins, and choose New Login.
  4. Enter an account name in the Login name field.

  5. Select the SQL Server Authentication option and enter a password for the account.

    Uncheck the following options to set the password as you want:

    • Enforce password policy
    • Enforce password expiration
    • User must change password at next login

    If the options are checked, you should set the password according to the security policy in Windows.


  6. Set the Default database to master.
  7. Access Server Roles.
  8. Check sysadmin.
  9. Access User Mapping.
  10. Check Master.
  11. Select db_owner.
  12. Access Status.
  13. Set Permission to connect to database engine to Grant and Login to Enabled.
  14. Click OK.
  15. Disconnect the database server an reconnect to it.
  16. Choose SQL Server Authentication from the Authentication drop-down list and enter the ID and password. Then, click Connect.

Connecting With Dataset Module

1. Go to Datasets → DBs on the Available Providers ListBox select SqlClient Data Provider and choose SQL Server.

Create new Database connection options


The configurations described below necessitate that the user is logged in with Administrator privileges.

2. In the LogonName column, insert the newly created user. In the LogonPassword column, insert the password.

LogonName and LogonPassword columns

3. In the ConnectionString column, the fields are configured as in the image.

You must always use the Test button to make sure the connection is correctly configured.


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