Connecting to LocalDB

In this recipe, we will connect to the LocalDB database.

Getting ready

LocalDB is a separate installation from your usual instance. LocalDB needs to be installed before you can follow this recipe.

You can download LocalDB with SQL Server Express from MSDN downloads at https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/download/details.aspx?id=42299.

How to do it...

Let's take a look at the steps to connect to LocalDB:

1. Open PowerShell ISE as an administrator.
2. Import the SQLPS module and create a new SMO Server object as follows:

   #import SQL Server module
   Import-Module SQLPS -DisableNameChecking

3. Add the following script and run it:

   $instanceName = "(localdb)\MSSQLLocalDB"
   $server = New-Object -TypeName Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Smo.Server -ArgumentList $instanceName
   
   #list all databases in localdb
   $server.Databases

How it works...

LocalDB is a flavor of SQL Server Express that is geared toward developers. You can think of it as a stripped-down version of SQL Server Express—...