SQL Server 2005's Type 4 JDBC driver provides database connectivity from a Java application. Though the driver class and connection URL are a bit different in this version, connectivity is a snap.

Fresh on the heels of SQL Server 2014 being released to manufacturing, the SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) team yesterday announced support for the new version, along with numerous other enhancements.

Untangle SQL Server connection strings Today’s README file explains how to create connection strings to SQL Server databases using Visual Studio’s built-in tools.

A new database-oriented tool in Visual Studio Team System will let programmers more easily make, test changes to database designs.

Microsoft says it's hard at work on a Visual Studio edition product targeted specifically at database developers and that it plans to ship it by year's end.