Visual Studio Data Tools Link Jun 2026

While there is overlap (both can write queries), professionals typically use (backups, security, performance monitoring) and Visual Studio Data Tools to write the code that defines the database.

Data Tools often installs and integrates with . This provides a lightweight, zero-configuration version of SQL Server, perfect for developers to test code locally without the overhead of installing a full server instance. visual studio data tools

However, the landscape is shifting: