In order to connect to a remote instance of an SQL server, you will need this or similar software. Mac users can use open-source programs such as DbVisualizer or SQuirreL SQL. The interfaces will be different but the same general principles apply. [1] X Research source To learn how to create databases using command-line tools, see this guide.

Click Connect to continue.

You will note that as you type the database name, two additional files will be created automatically: the Data and the Log file. The data file houses all of the data in your database, while the log file tracks changes to the database. Click OK to create the database. You will see your new database appear in the expanded Database folder. It will have a cylinder icon.

Windows will open on the rest of the screen which will allow you to manipulate your new table.

You don’t want to allow null values because you always want the entry to be at least “1”. If you allow nulls, your first entry will be “0”. In the Column Properties window, scroll down until you find the Identity Specification option. Expand it and set “(ls Identity)” to “Yes”. This will automatically increase the value of the ID column for each entry, effectively automatically numbering each new entry.

nchar(#) - This is the data type you should use for text, such as names, addresses, etc. The number in parentheses is the maximum number of characters allowed for this field. Setting a limit ensures that your database size stays manageable. Phone numbers should be stored with this format, as you don’t perform mathematical functions on them. int - This is for whole numbers, and is typically used in the ID field. decimal(x,y) - This will store numbers in decimal form, and the numbers within the parentheses denote the total number of digits and the number digits following the decimal, respectively. For example decimal(6,2) would store numbers as 0000. 00.

The center window will display fields for you to begin entering data. Your ID field will be filled automatically, so you can ignore it right now. Fill out the information for the rest of the fields. When you click on the next row, you will see the ID field in the first row fill automatically. Continue this process until you’ve entered all the information you need.

If there are any errors, you will be shown which entries are filled out incorrectly before the table can be executed.