How to Create an SQL Server Database

Install SQL Server Management Studio software. This software is free to download from Microsoft and allows you to connect to and manage an SQL server using a graphical interface instead of relying on command lines.

• To connect to a remote SQL server, you will need this software or similar alternatives.
• Mac users can use open-source programs like DbVisualizer or SQuirreL SQL. While their interfaces may differ, they all follow the same basic principles of use.
• You can also explore how to create a database using command lines if you're interested in that approach.

Start SQL Server Management Studio. When you launch the program, you will be prompted to select the server you wish to connect to. If the server is running and all necessary permissions are in place, you can enter the server address and your credentials. To create a local database, set the Database Name to . and choose "Windows Authentication" as the authentication method.

• Click Connect to proceed.

Locate the Databases folder. Once you have connected to a local or remote server, the Object Explorer window will open on the left side of the screen. At the top of the Object Explorer tree, you will see the connected server. If the tree is not expanded, click on the '+' icon next to it. Then, find the Databases folder.

Create a new database. Right-click on the Databases folder and select "New Database..." A new window will appear, allowing you to configure the database before creating it. It’s recommended to give the database a name that is easy to recognize. Most users leave the other settings at their defaults.

• When you create the database, two additional files will be automatically created: the Data file, which stores all the data in your database, and the Log file, which keeps track of all changes made to the database.
• Click OK to create the database. The new database will appear under the Databases folder and will be marked with a cylinder icon.

Create a table. A database only stores data once you have created a structure for it. Tables store the data entered into the database, so you must create a table first. Expand the newly created database in the Databases folder, right-click on the Tables folder, and select "New Table...".

• Windows will open the remaining part of the screen, allowing you to work with the new table.

Create a Primary Key. It is recommended to create the Primary Key in the first column of the table. This will be the ID or record number, which allows you to easily access these items later. To create a Primary Key, enter "ID" in the Column Name field, type int in the Data Type field, and uncheck "Allow Nulls". Click the Key icon on the toolbar to set this column as the Primary Key.

• Do not accept null values here, as you always want this field to have a value, at least "1". If nulls are allowed, your first entry will be "0".
• In the Column Properties window, scroll down to the Identify Specification option. Expand it and set "Yes" for "(Is Identity)". This will make the ID column automatically increment each time a new entry is added, thus numbering the new entries effectively.

Understand the structure of a table. A table is a collection of fields or columns. Each column represents a specific attribute of an entry in the database. For example, in a company employee database, you might have columns like "First Name", "Last Name", "Address", and "Phone_Number".

Fill in the Remaining Columns. After completing the fields for the Primary Key, new fields will appear directly below it, allowing you to enter data for the next column. Ensure that you fill out the fields correctly and select the appropriate data type for each one:

• nchar(#) – This data type is ideal for text, such as names, addresses, etc. The number in parentheses indicates the maximum number of characters allowed. Set a limit to keep the database size manageable. This format is also suitable for phone numbers as they are not used in calculations.
• int – This data type is for whole numbers, commonly used for ID fields.
• decimal(x,y) – This data type stores numbers in decimal form. The numbers in parentheses define the total digits and the digits after the decimal point. For example, decimal(6,2) stores numbers like 0000.00.

Save the Table. After creating the columns, you need to save the table before entering any data. Click the Save icon on the toolbar and provide a name for the table. It's advisable to choose a name that reflects the table's content, especially in large databases with multiple tables.

Add Data to Your Table. Once the table is saved, you can begin adding data. Expand the Tables folder in the Object Explorer window. If the new table isn't listed, right-click on the folder and select Refresh. Right-click the table and choose 'Edit Top 200 Rows'.

• You can start entering data into the fields displayed in the main window. The ID field will be automatically filled in. You can skip this for now and focus on the other fields. As you click on the next row, you'll notice the ID field of the first row is automatically filled in.
• Continue entering your data until you've completed all the necessary information.

Execute the Table to Save the Data. Once all the information is entered, click the Execute SQL button on the toolbar to save it to the table. The SQL server will run in the background, separating the data into the columns you created. The button appears as a red exclamation mark. You can also press Ctrl+R to execute the command.

• If there are any errors, the incorrect rows will be highlighted before the table is executed.

Query Data. At this point, the database has been fully set up. For each database, you can create as many tables as needed (though there is a limit to the number of tables in each database, which most users won't have to worry about unless working on an enterprise-level database). Now, you can query the data for reports or other administrative purposes. Refer to additional resources on how to run queries with your database.