When working with Microsoft SQL Server, developers often need to export an entire database structure along with its data into a single SQL script file. This is particularly useful for:

• Database migration between environments
• Creating backups that can be version-controlled
• Setting up development/test environments
• Documenting database schemas

SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) provides built-in functionality to generate scripts:

1. Right-click your database in Object Explorer
2. Select "Tasks" > "Generate Scripts"
3. In the wizard:
   - Choose "Select specific database objects"
   - Check "Tables", "Stored Procedures", etc.
   - Under "Set Scripting Options", click "Advanced"
   - Set "Types of data to script" to "Schema and data"
   - Choose output file location
4. Click "Next" and "Finish" to generate the script

For automation scenarios, PowerShell with the SQL Server module provides more control:

Import-Module SqlServer

$serverInstance = "YourServer\Instance"
$database = "YourDatabase"
$outputFile = "C:\output\FullDatabaseScript.sql"

# Generate schema script
Invoke-Sqlcmd -Query "SELECT definition FROM sys.sql_modules" -ServerInstance $serverInstance -Database $database |
    Out-File -FilePath $outputFile

# Append data as INSERT statements
$tables = Invoke-Sqlcmd -Query "SELECT TABLE_NAME FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLES WHERE TABLE_TYPE = 'BASE TABLE'" -ServerInstance $serverInstance -Database $database

foreach ($table in $tables) {
    $tableName = $table.TABLE_NAME
    $data = Invoke-Sqlcmd -Query "SELECT * FROM $tableName" -ServerInstance $serverInstance -Database $database
    $insertStatements = $data | ConvertTo-InsertSql -TableName $tableName
    $insertStatements | Out-File -FilePath $outputFile -Append
}

Microsoft's Data-Tier Application Framework (DACFx) provides the most comprehensive solution:

sqlpackage.exe /Action:Script /SourceServerName:YourServer 
/SourceDatabaseName:YourDatabase /TargetFile:"C:\output\DatabaseScript.sql" 
/DeployScriptPath:"C:\output\DeployScript.sql" /Profile:"C:\config\exportProfile.publish.xml"

For databases with significant amounts of data, consider these approaches:

1. Split the script into multiple files by schema or object type
2. Use bcp utility for data-only exports
3. Implement custom solutions with SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS)
4. Consider third-party tools like Redgate SQL Data Compare

• Script generation may fail for encrypted objects
• SQL Server version compatibility matters (scripts generated from newer versions may not run on older ones)
• Include USE [DatabaseName] statement at the beginning of your script
• Review the script for any environment-specific configurations

When working with Microsoft SQL Server, developers often need to generate a complete script that recreates both the database schema and data - similar to MySQL's mysqldump functionality. This is particularly useful for:

• Database migrations
• Version control
• Creating development/test environments
• Backup purposes

SQL Server provides several built-in methods to accomplish this:

1. SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) Generate Scripts Wizard

The easiest way is to use SSMS:

1. Right-click your database
2. Select "Tasks" > "Generate Scripts"
3. Choose "Script entire database and all database objects"
4. Under "Set Scripting Options", click "Advanced"
5. Set "Types of data to script" to "Schema and data"
6. Complete the wizard to generate your script

2. Using sqlcmd Utility

For command-line automation:

sqlcmd -S serverName -d databaseName -E -Q "SELECT * FROM sys.tables" -o outputfile.sql

For a complete export, you'll need to combine multiple commands or use PowerShell scripting.

For more control, use PowerShell with the SqlServer module:

Import-Module SqlServer

$server = "YourServer"
$database = "YourDB"
$outputFile = "C:\backup\full_export.sql"

# Export schema
Invoke-Sqlcmd -ServerInstance $server -Database $database -Query "SELECT definition FROM sys.sql_modules" | 
Out-File -FilePath $outputFile

# Append data as INSERT statements
$tables = Invoke-Sqlcmd -ServerInstance $server -Database $database -Query "SELECT TABLE_NAME FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLES WHERE TABLE_TYPE = 'BASE TABLE'"

foreach ($table in $tables) {
    $data = Invoke-Sqlcmd -ServerInstance $server -Database $database -Query "SELECT * FROM $($table.TABLE_NAME)"
    $data | ConvertTo-Csv -NoTypeInformation | Out-File -FilePath $outputFile -Append
}

Several specialized tools can simplify this process:

• SQL Database Migration Wizard (Microsoft)
• Redgate SQL Data Compare
• ApexSQL Script

When scripting large databases:

• Consider splitting the script into multiple files
• Be mindful of memory limitations
• For very large tables, consider batching the data export
• Test the generated script on a non-production environment first