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Quickstart: Run your first query with the MSSQL extension for Visual Studio Code

In this quickstart, you use the MSSQL extension for Visual Studio Code to run your first Transact-SQL (T-SQL) statements against a database. Use an existing development database or create one, define a table, insert sample data, and query the results.

Prerequisites

To complete this quickstart, you need:

If you already have a development database, reuse it. Otherwise, choose a setup path:

Connect to your database

Before you run a query, connect to the database from the Object Explorer. The Connection Dialog walks you through entering a server name, picking an authentication type, and (optionally) selecting a database. For a full walkthrough of input types, authentication methods, and connection management, see Connect to a database with the MSSQL extension for Visual Studio Code.

After you connect, your server appears in the Object Explorer and you can start running queries.

Use an existing database

If you already provisioned an Azure SQL Database free tier database, connect directly to that database. In the Connection Dialog, select or enter its name in the Database field rather than leaving the default database selected. You can also use this path for another existing development database, including a SQL database in Fabric.

  1. Open a new query editor connected to your chosen database.

  2. Run this query to check the editor's active database:

    SELECT DB_NAME() AS current_database;

  3. Confirm that the result matches the database you intend to use. If it doesn't, select the correct database connection and check again before running any sample statements.

  4. Skip Create a database and continue with Create a table. Keep the same database connection for the remaining steps.

Important

The following CREATE DATABASE Library statement doesn't provision a database under the Azure SQL Database free tier. Don't run it for the free tier path. Create the tutorial table inside the free database you already provisioned; don't restore or import another database.

Create a database

If you need a new database on SQL Server or Azure SQL Managed Instance, create a database called Library. If you already have a development database, use Use an existing database instead.

Important

This step creates a generic database, not a free tier database. Adding another cloud database can incur charges. Review the service's pricing and your permissions before continuing.

  1. Open a new query editor: Press Ctrl+N to open a new query editor, or right-click on your server and select New Query.

  2. Create the database. Paste the following snippet into the query editor and select Run:

    IF NOT EXISTS (SELECT name
               FROM sys.databases
               WHERE name = N'Library')
    CREATE DATABASE Library;

    This script creates a new database called Library if it doesn't already exist.

The new Library database appears in the list of databases. If you don't see it immediately, refresh the Object Explorer.

Create a table

Create the Authors table within your existing development database or the Library database you created.

Important

Run each step separately and stop if a statement fails. If dbo.Authors already exists, don't use or delete it for this quickstart. Choose a different development database or change the table name consistently in all sample statements before continuing.

  1. Make sure the query editor is connected to your chosen database. For the free tier path, use the free database's name, not Library or master. Run SELECT DB_NAME() AS current_database; again if you open another editor or change connections.

  2. Create the table. Replace the text in the query window with the following snippet and select Run:

    CREATE TABLE dbo.Authors
(
    id INT IDENTITY (1, 1) NOT NULL PRIMARY KEY,
    first_name NVARCHAR (100) NOT NULL,
    middle_name NVARCHAR (100) NULL,
    last_name NVARCHAR (100) NOT NULL
);

This script creates the Authors table with an IDENTITY column for the id, which automatically generates unique IDs.

Insert rows

Next, insert data into the Authors table.

  1. Replace the text in the query window with the following snippet and select Run:

    INSERT INTO dbo.Authors (first_name, middle_name, last_name)
VALUES ('Isaac', 'Yudovick', 'Asimov'),
       ('Arthur', 'Charles', 'Clarke'),
       ('Herbert', 'George', 'Wells'),
       ('Jules', 'Gabriel', 'Verne'),
       ('Philip', 'Kindred', 'Dick');

The sample data is added to the Authors table.

View the data

To verify the data in the Authors table, run the following query:

SELECT *
FROM dbo.Authors
ORDER BY id;

After one successful insert into the new table, expect five rows in this order:

id first_name middle_name last_name
1 Isaac Yudovick Asimov
2 Arthur Charles Clarke
3 Herbert George Wells
4 Jules Gabriel Verne
5 Philip Kindred Dick

Clean up resources

Remove only the sample table you created in this quickstart.

  1. Run SELECT DB_NAME() AS current_database; and confirm that you're connected to the database where you created the table.

  2. Confirm that you created dbo.Authors during this walkthrough and no longer need its sample data. Don't continue if table creation failed or the table belongs to another project.

  3. Run the following statement to remove that table:

    DROP TABLE dbo.Authors;

Don't drop an existing database, including the free tier database you provisioned, as part of this sample cleanup.

If you use the free tier, track your remaining allowance and review the pause and overage behavior. Disconnect query editors and the Object Explorer connection when you're done. Open sessions can prevent idle auto-pause; disconnecting doesn't restore vCore seconds already consumed. A successful query doesn't establish workload compatibility or guarantee that future usage stays within the free allowance.

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