SQLBits 2011

Building a SSMS Add-in; The Agony and Ecstasy

We will travel back in time a bit to SQL 2005 to see how SSMS Add-ins worked, then jump forward to the present day were we will go through the process of writing a SSMS Add-in for R2.

 

Cast your mind back to November 2005, Madonna had just been knocked off the Number 1 spot by the Pussycat Dolls and SQL Server 2005 was released - writing Management Studio Add-ins was a total nightmare.

Fast forward 3 years, Katy Perry was kissing a girl and SQL Server 2008 was released, guess what, Management Studio Add-ins still a total nightmare and your previous 2005 Add-ins didn’t work!

As Lady Gaga sings Bad Romance, the team in Redmond release SQL Server 2008 R2 and SSMS Add-ins break again.

In this session I'll run through creating a SQL Server Management Studio 2008 R2 Add-in (in C#), covering common pitfalls, gotchas and the differences between 2005/2008/R2.
And if it’s released by then the joys of rewriting your Add-ins for Denali.