Neil,

The good news is that everything that Enterprise Manager does can be done in code. For administration tasks, like adding users, you can use the system-supplied stored procedures in the master database and execute them within the VS.NET IDE.

I'm pretty sure that MSDE comes with the SQL Server Books Online help file. Check out sp_addlogin, sp_grantdbaccess and sp_addrolemember in the help file for specifics. In the examples, they assume you have access to Query Analyzer, which is like a big Command Window in SQL Server. For examples that begin with EXEC, instead of using Query Analyzer, you can right click on the stored procedure and choose Run Stored Procedure in the Server Explorer. The IDE will prompt you for any parameters. Most of the system-supplied stored procedures reside in the master database.

*Important: Make sure that "Show system objects" is checked in the IDE options - Tools/Options/Database Tools/Server Explorer.

All of this can be a bit overwhelming for someone who is just getting started in SQL Server. Chris' reccommendation to buy the Developer Edition sounds like the best approach.

>Hi,
>
>MSDE and the Northwind database were installed on my laptop during the VS.net installation process. I do not have SQL Server nor do I have the SQL Server Enterprise Manager. My Windows Forms applications have complete access to the Northwind database. I am starting the ASP.net learning curve and find that my asp.net apps cannot access the same Northwind database. It has been suggested that I add an ASPNET user to MSDE and then assign the ASPNET user rights to the Northwind database. How do I perform these operations in MSDE and the Northwind database? Please be specific with your advice since I have no experience with SQL Server or MSDE. I am coming from a visual FoxPro database background and this is all new to me.
>
>Thanx,
>Neil