How to Create a Database in Microsoft SQL

Microsoft's SQL Server is a powerful database-creation tool. SQL databases can be used as part of a network, as the powerhouse of a website, or as a crucial part of an application. SQL Server databases can be as simple or complex as you need them to be. Creating a new database is a straight-forward process. Some databases are created by default when you install Microsoft SQL Server. These are system databases. They are used to store information for other databases and to configure alerts and scheduled jobs.

Instructions

1. Open Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio. Depending on how you installed SQL Server, you may have an icon on your desktop. Otherwise, go to "Start," then "All Programs," then "Microsoft SQL Server."

2. Click the plus sign next to your server name to the left of the screen to expand the tree. Right-click "Databases." This will be directly under your server name.

3. Click "New Database" to option the New Database options screen.

4. Input a name for your database in the "Database name" text box. To make programming easier, use one of the following formats for your name. Use a single-word name such as Database. Use a multiple-word name without spaces such as NewDatabase. Use a multiple-word name with underscores such as My_New_Database.

5. Click "OK" to create the database. You can change the database's properties at any time by right-clicking the name of the database and choosing "Properties." All objects you create for your new database will be listed when you click the plus sign beside your database name.

Tips & Warnings

• Database names are case-sensitive. If you use the name of your database in a query, type the name exactly as you originally named it in Step 4.

References

• Quackit Tutorial

Resources

• SQL Server 2008 Tutorials
• IBM - SQL Server Tutorial