How to Handle Database Projects in BIDS 2008 with TFS 2008

Question

We are using BIDS 2008 for SSIS, SSAS and SSRS development, with a plugin to TFS 2008 to manage version and deployment.  We would like to have a way to manage all of our stored procedures, but sadly there is no database project in BIDS 2008.  Right now, our only idea is to create a folder in each solution for the related stored procedures, so we can have everything checked in to TFS. However; this solution doesn't allow us to manage all of our stored procedures in one place.  What I would really like is one container per database to house all procedures, views, functions, triggers, etc.  But I haven't done this in a version of VS that didn't have database projects.

Any thoughts, suggestions, stories on what has worked, or what hasn't is much appreciated.

Answer 1

Hello Rudegirl,

You are correct that you can't create database project in the BIDS 2008, instead you need to install VS2008 database edition+VS2008SP1 +VS2008 DGR R2.

For VS2008 SP1, go: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=10986

For VS2008 DGR R2, go: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=14258

If you would not like to install above components, what is do you mean by saying "this solution doesn't allow us to manage all of our stored procedures in one place"? Please provide me more information above it.

Thanks.

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Vicky Song [MSFT]
MSDN Community Support | Feedback to us

Answer 2

Thank you so much for getting back to me. I found we had a licensed version of Visual Studio 2008 Team System 2008.  In it we have database projects, but after I create a new solution I don't have the Database Schema View in the View menu. I want to be able to import everything from production into the solution, and then check it into TFS so that we can start using TFS as our starting point of development, and our 'truth' for our production code.

Any idea why it's not the View menu?  Do I need to install the database edition?  And if I do install the database edition will I lose any of the functionality in the Team Edition for Developers? 

Maria

Answer 3

Hello Maria,

As far as I kown that in order to create database project in the VS2008 you must install VSTS2008 Database Edition. You only have the Visual Studio 2008 Team System 2008 installed on your side is not enough. And the VSTS2008 Database Edition is just one component of VSTS2008, you can't lose any functionalities after you install it.

After you install the Database Edition successfully, you can have the Database Schema View shown in the View menu. And at this time, you will find the installed database edition on the VSTS2008 help dialog, see:

Thanks.

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Vicky Song [MSFT]
MSDN Community Support | Feedback to us

Answer 4

I thought that I needed to add it - so I tested it out on my machine.  I added the database edition and have a lot of the database tools available like schema compare and the like.  But I still don't have View Schema on the View menu.  I really want to load everything from production as a starting point for using TFS for my database projects.  Do you think I need to do the installs of VS2008, SP1, TFS (for 2010), and the forward compatability pack in a certain order???  I guess I could wipe out VS on my machine and just install the database edition, load everything from production into TFS and go from there.  Any thoughts are much appreciated.

Answer 5

I think I see the issue here. We have the developer edition.  I added the GDR, but need the database edition installed in the first place.  Sorry for a dumb question.  But do you need to buy the database edition seperate from the development edition?

Answer 6

And to answer my own question (for the sake of anyone who decides to follow this thread someday):  Microsoft announced quite sometime ago in a press release that if you own either VS 2008 Team System Development Edition or Database Edition, you will be given the following for free.  You just need to coordinate obtaining them through your Microsoft Partner.

• VS Team System 2008 Developer Ed
• VS Team System 2008 Database Ed
• VS 2005 Team System for Software Dev
• VS 2005 Team System for Database Prof

So once I get that install, and then add the GDR update, I should be good to go.  Thank you Vicky for helping me figure this out.  It is much appreciated.

Answer 7

Hey Vicky

I finally got a copy of the database edition.  I added it to my existing installation and I still don't have database schema view.  :(  My guess is that culprit here is order of operations on the install. I am currently uninstalling/reinstalling (hopefully in the correct order), and I thought it would be a good idea to check with you on if I have the order right.  What I did that didn't work:

1 - Visual Studio Team System 2008 - Development Edition

2 - Visual Studio Team Explorer

3 - Visual Studio 2008 Service Pack 1

4 - Visual Studio Team System 2008 - Database Edition

5 - Visual Studio 2008 Service Pack 1 (after I realized I need the SP to apply to the DB edition, which it said the install would affect the database edition)

6 - TFS 2010 Forward Compatibility Pack (we have TFS 2010)

7 - Visual Studio 2008 DGR R2

What I am planning on doing:

1 - VSTS2008 Development Edition

2 - VSTS2008 Database Edition

3 - Team Explorer 2008

4 - VS2008 SP1

5 - TFS 2010 Forward Compatability Pack

6 - VS2008 DGR R2

So any thoughts are appreciated. And if you wouldn't mind, I would love if you could send me a screen shot of where you are seeing Database Schema View, just as a sanity check on my end.

Thank you

Maria