Being a SQL DBA and part time SSRS developer, I sometimes get very confused and lost in what version of BIDS  or SSDT (SQL Server Data Tools) I need for what version of SQL. And now it seems SSDT is different from SSDT-BI (SQL Server Data Tool for Business Intelligence)  So, I am writing this blog as a reminder and starting point to determine what I need to tell colleagues what to download when setting up a new developer’s desktop with the right tools for the right job. I also want to be able to know what exactly will be installed on the machine for the developers.

My inventory of SQL Servers range from 2000 (yes I still have 2 instances of SQL 2000 in production, but that’s for another blog post) through 2014!  My “shop” primarily uses SSIS and SSRS with our SQL Servers so that is all I am confident with.

The below information goes under the assumption you do not have any retail version of Visual Studio installed on your computer. And with that assumption, all of the downloads will install a Visual Studio Shell IDE for use in your development.

Database Development (with scripting, deployment and Source Control)

SQL 2005 & 2008 — SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) for Visual Studio 2010

SQL 2012 & 2014 — Visual Studio 2012 & 2013 (Built in support)

SSRS Development

SSRS 2005 — BIDS 2005 (Visual Studio 8)

SSRS 2008 — BIDS 2008 (Visual Studio 9)

SSRS 2008 R2 — SQL Server Data Tools for Visual Studio 2010

SSSRS 2012 & 2014 — SQL Server Data Tools for Visual Studio 2010 and SQL Server Data Tools for Business Intelligence (SSDT-BI) for Visual Studio 2012 or Visual Studio 2013

SSIS Development

SSIS 2005 — BIDS 2005 (Visual Studio 8)

SSIS 2008 — BIDS 2008 (Visual Studio 9)

SSIS 2008 R2 — SQL Server Data Tools for Visual Studio 2010

SSIS 2012 & 2014 — SQL Server Data Tools for Visual Studio 2010 and SQL Server Data Tools for Business Intelligence (SSDT-BI) for Visual Studio 2012 or Visual Studio 2013

Well, I hope I didn’t mess those up. I sure wish Microsoft would get SQL Server, SSDT and SSDT-BI all on the same numbering system!  I can never remember which version of Visual Studio to launch for which version of SQL; maybe this reference will help!