Using SQL Server Management Objects (SMO) to connect to SQL Azure

For working with the SQL Server 2008, Microsoft has provided a collection of namespaces (SMO), which contain different classes, interfaces, and so on that help to programmatically manage the server. We will now use the elements of this namespace to access the SQL Azure server. This is a powerful tool, as it is based on the SQL Server API object model.

In the following steps, we will create a Windows Forms Application (even a console application can be used) and add references to the Server API that works with SMO and show how a connection can be established to SQL Azure.

1. 1. Create a Windows Forms Application project (herein SmoSqlAzure) and to the default drag-and-drop a button.

2. 2. Right-click on the References node and from the drop-down click on Add Reference....

3. 3. The Add Reference window gets displayed, as shown in the following screenshot:

   

4. 4. In the Add Reference window under .NET scroll down and add the following references...