How can I find/use SQL Server Data Tools?

Question

A short time ago I installed Microsoft SQL Server 2012 - 11.0.2100.60 (X64); Enterprise Evaluation Edition (64-bit).  Just last night I installed SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT).  I'm wondering where the SSDT is now?  How do I access it?  Below is a screen shot of what I have, and I don't see it listed anywhere.

I already ran SSDTSetup.exe.  I just can't seem to find the program anywhere!!

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Ryan Shuell

Answer 1

SSDT is an extension to Visual Studio.  If you have VS installed, then SSDT will integrate with your existing VS installation.  If you don't have VS, the SSDT setup program will automatically downlaod and install a version of VS 2010 for you. 

In order to launch "SSDT", you need to launch to launch Microsoft Visual Studio 2010.   Usually, this is available in your start menu in the "Microsoft Visual Studio 2010" folder. 

You can see some "getting started" material here:  http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/data/hh297028  This should give a background on the different capabilities of SSDT.  If you have more questions, don't hesistate to ask.

Thanks,

Mike Kaufman

Microsoft Corp.

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This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights

Answer 2

Let me backup for one moment.  I used BIDS, just a little, for about 2 years.  It was deeply integrated into SQL Server 2008.  I recently downloaded SQL Server 2012.  I believe that SSDT replaced BIDS, right.  I can see how BIDS was an integral part of SQL Server 2008.  So, you are saying SSDT is an integral part of VS 2010?  Basically, SSIS, SSRS, & SSAS went from SQL Server to VS?  Is that right? 

Wow!!

I still don't see SSDT anywhere.  I have Visual Studio and I have SQL Server Enterprise Evaluation; I'm not seeing SSDT anywhere.  How can I confirm that it is installed and accessible, or whatever?

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Ryan Shuell

Answer 3

Oh!  Nice one!  i just tried to install the program, just to make sure it is installed, and I get this:

I downloaded this from the web.  What does this want me to do?  What does it want me to go?

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Ryan Shuell

Answer 4

Sorry for the trouble you are having. I have not seen the black screen issue before. Did you restart VS and it still looks like that?

There has been some confusion about the relationship between BIDS and SSDT, and we are at fault for putting out confusing information. Our FAQ page has this item which explains it a bit better:

Will the BIDS tools be available as part of SSDT?

In the SQL Server 2012 installer, developers can install the BIDS tools for Visual Studio 2010 by selecting SSDT during installation. The BIDS tools will run on Visual Studio 2010 SP1, as SSDT does. The SQL Server 2012 installer will also install SSDT’s prerequisites and a “stub project” that allows SQL Server 2012 users to acquire the latest SSDT version from the web.

In the web acquision experience, however, the SSDT shell only includes the database projects component. Installing SSDT from the web will not install BIDS tools.

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-Genevieve Orchard (SQL Server Data Platform team)

Answer 5

Thanks for the follow up!  I double-clicked the SQL Server .exe file, clicked through a few menus, and confirmed that EVERYTHING is installed. 

Then, I double-clicked 'SSDTSetup' and got this message:

Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Transact-SQL Compiler Service

The feature you are trying to use is on a CD-ROM or other removable disk that is not available.

Insert the 'Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Transact-SQL Compiler Service' disk and click OK.


I can say one thing FOR SURE.  I definitely did NOT install this from a CD-ROM.  I downloaded it from here:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/data/hh297027

'Download SQL Server Data Tools' (link)


I don't understand why it is so hard to install this SSDT.  I don't get it.  Sorry for being thick on this, but it makes no sense at this point.


What is the next step?  Uninstall everything and re-install everything?  I've done that once already.


I'd appreciate any insight into getting this working.


Kind regards,
Ryan--

PS - Sorry about the black screen.  I honestly have NO IDEA what that is.  It seems that the image renders perfectly fine on my computer, but as soon as it loads into the web browser, almost the entire thing becomes black.  I've never seen that before, and I'm not sure what to do to resolve the issue.

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Ryan Shuell

Answer 6

Hi Ryan -

-I'm not sure why you would be seeing that, but it sounds like the installer is unable to pull down various dependencies.  This could be paused by failures in your network connection.    I would recommend you follow the instructions on creating an "administrative install point" on this page:  http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/data/hh297027.  This will copy all of SSDT's dependencies onto a local drive before trying to run them.  Once created, you should run SSDTSetup.exe from this local location.  

Thanks,

Mike Kaufman

Microsoft Corp.

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This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights