How to verify connection to SQL Server from VM without SQL Server Management Studio

Today, I came across this scenario where we had to test SQL connection from a VM which did not have SQL Server management studio, one option is installing SQL Server on VM - but I didn't see any point on installing SSMS just for the sake testing connectivity.

Here are the steps I used to test the connection without using SSMS
 1. Create a new file with .udl extension in any of the drives on VM



 


2. double clicking on .UDL file will open up data link properties window as below.

 3. Enter Server Name and Credentials and click Test Connection

That's it, you are done :)

Visual Studio 2012 Error: Unable to Open Transact SQL file in custom editor

Recently I have installed Visual Studio 2012, after that whenever I tried to view any SQL file from source control I was prompted with an error "Unable to Open Transact SQL file in custom editor". or
Incorrect version SQL Server Data Tools installed or
SQL Server Data Tool installed is incompatible with current version of Visual Studio.

To overcome this issue install SQL Server Data Tools 2012 manually. Download Link

Alternatively, when you try to create a new SQL Server Project, you will be presented with SSDT Web install option.

File -> New Project -> SQL Server

Hello world!

This is my test Blog!