Unable to read back up database file (has weird characters) and unable to import this file into azure data studio.

Mortaza Sahar 1

I have been struggling with this for a while. The documentation that is available is very confusing an not relevant.

I am using a Mac operating system and have installed the latest version of azure data studio.

When I open the back up file it is not readable. Like shown below.

I want to be able to import it as a new database in azure data studio. I have tried converting it into a .bak file and uploading it in a docker container and then importing the data base, but this has failed.

Thank You

1 answer

Mike Ubezzi 2,776 Reputation points

2020-06-02T22:31:32.3+00:00

Hi @Mortaza Sahar ,

Azure Data Studio is not intended to replace the database platform server functionality. Azure Data Studio is intended to allow you to connect to the database specific server instance and like SQL Server Management Studio, interact with and manage a database instance. You will need to install the applicable Azure Data Studio extension(s) in addition to Azure Data Studio itself. Please see: Azure Data Studio Extensions

This tutorial will be useful: Quickstart: Use Azure Data Studio to connect and query SQL Server

Regards,
Mike
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Mortaza Sahar 1 Reputation point

2020-06-02T23:52:40.533+00:00

Hi Mike,

Thank you for the answer.

I have done the Quick Start Tutorial. But that method doesn't work.

What specific extensions would I need to import this database?

Are there any other tutorials that I can use for this?

BTW, this database was exported from a SQL Server Management Studio.

Apologies for the rudimentary questions, I am trying to figure it out.

Thanks

Mike Ubezzi 2,776 Reputation points

2020-06-03T01:02:00.83+00:00

Although the database was exported using T-SQL in an SSMS query, the database did not actually reside in SSMS. The SSMS session was connected to an SQL Server instance.

You are going to need to deploy an Azure SQL Server instance to then restore the database file as a new database. You cannot restore the database file to Azure Data Studio nor read the contents of the .bak file with the desktop client. If the database file was sourced from an on-premise SQL Server instance, you are going to need to export the database as a .bacpac file. You cannot restore a .bak file to Azure directly.

There are couple items here. First, compatibility between on-premise and Azure SQL. And second, the specific steps to complete this task.

As for the specific extension, you will need to install the following extension:
SQL Server Central Management Servers extension (preview)

Mortaza Sahar 1 Reputation point

2020-06-05T02:30:35.19+00:00

Thank you again for the reply.

Is there any other way to do this without creating a SQL Server instance? The reason for this unusual request is due to the hight pricing of this feature. This web app is a small side project, and the solutions are quite expensive.

Kind Regards

Mike Ubezzi 2,776 Reputation points

2020-06-05T06:28:35.887+00:00

You could deploy SQL Developer Edition on your laptop and use Azure Data Studio to connect and query the database. It is a full featured free edition. Please see: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sql-server/sql-server-downloads

There are a number of free options with Azure, as an option. Please see: Create you Azure free account

Regards,
Mike

Mortaza Sahar 1 Reputation point

2020-06-05T08:12:00.937+00:00

Thank you Mike.

Is the developer edition compatible with Mac OS?

Regards

Mike Ubezzi 2,776 Reputation points

2020-06-16T00:40:11.37+00:00

Linux, Windows and Azure

Run SQL Server 2019 on Linux

Install on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.3

Install on Ubuntu Linux 16.04

Install on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server v12 SP2

Linux code samples
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