How do I export my database from SQL Server Management Studio Express

Hi

I am using SQL Server Management Studio Express to make my databases but I noticed if I make my database in Visual studios and go new Item and make a new database I see it in app_data folder and server express tab and if I make it in SQL Server Management Studio Express I only see it in the server explorer.

So if I have to move my files to another computer how do I move my database easly with SQL Server Management Studio Express? Since when you make it with the visual studio the file gets stored with all the other files of your project so if you move it all to another computer you prob won't run into a problem.

So how do I make it that so I can do everything in SQL Server Management Studio Express(since I like working in it) then export it into a file that I can then go into my app_data folder and add it is an exist item?

Thanks

Hi chobo2,

Generally speaking, when you create a new database through Management Studio, the database file will be stored at: %yoursqlinstallationpath%MSSQL.1\MSSQL\Data. If you want to access it through your Visual Studio you must first connect to it(server exploer--> new connection).

And if you create a new database through Visual Studio, the database file will be stored in you application App_Data folder.You can access to it directly through both Visual Studio and Management Studio.

As to export a database file to new location(or migrate databae), as far as i know, you have 2 options:

1: Detach and Attach:

Detach the database from original database Server and copy the physical database files(*.mdf and *.ldf) to the new location.At the new server side, you put the physical database files to a certain place(generally speaking it's the default sql server database folder), and attach to the database again;

2:Use Backup and Restore:

In your original database server you can make a backup of your database file and store it to a certain place(*.bak).Take the *.bak file to the new server and in the new database server, restore that database.

You can implement the above 2 methods in sql2000, sql express, or sql 2005. However, detailed operations could be different if you use different verstions of sql server.

Hope my suggestion helps