How To Create a SQL Server Database Programmatically by Using ADO.NET and Visual C++ .NET

Programmers often need to create databases programmatically. This article describes how to use ADO.NET and Visual C++ .NET to programmatically create a Microsoft SQL Server database.

Steps to Create the Sample

1. Start Microsoft Visual Studio .NET, and create a new Managed C++ Application project. Form1 is added to the project by default.
2. Add the following code before your Main function definition:

   #using <mscorlib.dll>
   using namespace System;
   
   #using <system.dll>
   using namespace System;
   
   #using <System.data.dll>
   using namespace System::Data;
   using namespace System::Data::SqlClient;
   
   #using <system.windows.forms.dll>
   using namespace System::Windows::Forms;
   					

3. Add the following code in your Main function:

   int main(void)
   {
      Console::WriteLine(S"Press 'C' and then ENTER to create a new database");
      Console::WriteLine(S"Press any other key and then ENTER to quit");
      char c = Console::Read();
      if (c == 'C' || c == 'c')
      {
          Console::WriteLine(S"Creating the database...");
          String* str;
          SqlConnection* myConn = new SqlConnection 
                                 ("Server=localhost;Integrated security=SSPI;database=master");
          str = "CREATE DATABASE MyDatabase ON PRIMARY " 
   		   "(NAME = MyDatabase_Data, " 
   		   "FILENAME = 'C:\\MyDatabaseData.mdf', " 
   		   "SIZE = 2MB, MAXSIZE = 10MB, FILEGROWTH = 10%) " 
   		   "LOG ON (NAME = MyDatabase_Log, " 
   		   "FILENAME = 'C:\\MyDatabaseLog.ldf', " 
   		   "SIZE = 1MB, " 
   		   "MAXSIZE = 5MB, " 
   		   "FILEGROWTH = 10%)";
   
          try
          {
              SqlCommand* myCommand = new SqlCommand(str, myConn);
              myConn->Open();
              myCommand->ExecuteNonQuery();
              MessageBox::Show("Database is created successfully", 
                               "MyProgram", MessageBoxButtons::OK, 
                               MessageBoxIcon::Information);
          }
          catch (System::Exception* ex)
          {
              MessageBox::Show(ex->ToString(), "MyProgram",    
                               MessageBoxButtons::OK, 
                               MessageBoxIcon::Information);
          }
   
          if (myConn->State == ConnectionState::Open)
          {
              myConn->Close();
          }
       }
   
        return 0;
   }
   					

4. Change the connection string to point to your SQL Server, and make sure that the Database argument is set to Master or blank.
5. Press the F5 key or the CTRL+F5 key combination to run the project. Press "C" and then press ENTER to create the database.
6. Use the Server Explorer to verify that the database was created.

Additional Notes

• This code creates a custom database with specific properties.
• The folder that will hold the created .mdf and .ldf files must already exist before you run the code or an exception will be generated.
• If you want to create a database that is similar to SQL Server's Model database and in the default location, then change the str variable in the code:

  str = "CREATE DATABASE MyDatabase"
  					

For additional information on the CREATE DATABASE Transact-SQL command, see the SQL Server Books Online or MSDN Online Library: For more information on ADO.NET objects and syntax, see the Microsoft .NET Framework SDK documentation or MSDN Online: