Stage 1 · Lesson 5 of 8
SSMS or VS Code as your GUI
On Windows, install (SSMS), Microsoft's full tool for querying and running SQL Server. It shows (how the server really ran a query) and manages logins, backups and jobs. On macOS and Linux, and for everyday development anywhere, Microsoft now recommends with the MSSQL extension.
Azure Data Studio was retired on 28 February 2026 and no longer receives fixes. Connect to your local server, open a query window and run SELECT @@VERSION to confirm it works. Learn early how to include the actual execution plan, because it becomes essential later.
Common trapinstalling Azure Data Studio because an older course uses it.
A question to check yourself, an AI practice session and 1 cheat sheet entry come with the full roadmap. Unlock
Resources for this stage
Start with· follow one of these
- CourseFreeCS50's Introduction to Databases with SQL
Harvard University · Beginner
Watch Lecture 0 (Querying) for the relational model; it uses SQLite, and the ideas carry straight across
- CourseFreeQuery and modify data with Transact-SQL
Microsoft · Beginner
Start with the Introduction to Transact-SQL module; it sets up a sample database in the browser or locally