SQL server is a great engine for the data that powers modern apps. This session is an introduction to Visual Studio SQL Projects. VS SQL Projects allows developers to define their application’s database as a Visual Studio project in a declarative way, no manual migration needed! The SQL Project model allows safe and easy database deployments, both from VS and also from CI/CD pipelines. We will go over the structure of a SQL Server Project and tips and tricks for building databases that are true data services instead of simple data storage spaces. Custom SQL types, automated tests, source control, and CI/CD pipelines via GitHub actions will be presented as time allows.