The sqlcmd utility lets you enter Transact-SQL statements, system procedures, and script files at the command prompt, in Query Editor in sqlcmd mode, in a Windows script file, or in an operating system (cmd.exe) job step of a SQL Server Agent job. The sqlcmd utility uses OLE DB to execute Transact-SQL batches. For information related to using sqlcmd with SQL Azure, see How to: Connect to SQL Azure Using sqlcmd.

Note   Although the sqlcmd utility is supported by SQL Azure, a similar utility, named osql, is not supported.

For more information about the sqlcmd Utility, see sqlcmd Utility in SQL Server Books Online.

The SQL Server 2008 R2 November CTP version of SQL Server Management Studio can be used to access, configure, manage and administer SQL Azure. Previous versions of SQL Server Management Studio are not supported.

SQL Server Management Studio combines graphical tools with a number of rich script editors to provide access to SQL Server to developers and administrators. For more information, see Using SQL Server Management Studio in SQL Server Books Online.

You can use the Generate and Publish Scripts Wizard to transfer a database from a local computer to SQL Azure. For more information, see How to: Migrate a Database by Using the Generate Scripts Wizard.

The Generate and Publish Scripts Wizard creates Transact-SQL scripts for your local database and the wizard uses them to publish database objects to SQL Azure. For more information, see

Using the Generate and Publish Scripts Wizard in SQL Server Books Online.

There is a new engine-type parameter for SQL Azure. When you are scripting a database and the destination is SQL Azure, set the engine parameter to SQL Azure so that the Generate and Publish Scripts Wizard creates Transact-SQL that is compatible with SQL Azure.

You can transfer data to SQL Azure by using SQL Server 2008 Integration Services (SSIS).

As of the SQL Azure October CTP and the SQL Server 2008 R2 November CTP, there have been enhancements made to enable bulk copy support. Use that combination or a more recent version.

You can transfer data to SQL Azure by using the bulk copy utility (BCP.exe). The bcp utility bulk copies data between an instance of Microsoft SQL Server and a data file in a user-specified format. The bcp utility can be used to import large numbers of new rows into SQL Server tables or to export data out of tables into data files. For more information, see bcp Utility in SQL Server Books Online.

Note:
The QUERYOUT argument is not currently supported.

If you run SQL Server Analysis Services on-premise and consume data that is stored in SQL Azure, SQL Server Analysis Services is supported. Otherwise, SQL Server Analysis Services is not supported.

If you run SQL Server Reporting Services on-premise and consume data that is stored in SQL Azure, SQL Server Reporting Services is supported. Otherwise, SQL Server Reporting Services is not supported.

A partial set of SQL Server Management Objects (SMO) are supported by SQL Azure. If you use one that is not supported, SQL Server will throw an exception.

For more information about SQL Server Management Objects (SMO), see SQL Server Management Objects (SMO) in SQL Server Books Online.

Concepts