Using your own computer

Step-by-step guides to install the tools you need to do the homework

I am not going to mince words. Installing these tools on your personal computer can be very frustrating and it is NOT recommended for beginners. Going to the McIntire labs is much easier to do: our help-desk has set up computers that you can use right away.

However, if you want to work from home or use your laptop, follow these instructions closely and be patient. It might not work on the first or second or third try...

How to Install Visual Studio on your computer (needed for most homework)

Find out what is your case and follow the instructions below

I have a Mac

If your Mac is pretty old, or you do not have much space on your hard disk, desist. Go to the lab. It will save you much distress.
You might find online that there is a version of VS for the Mac. However, that version does not have all the functionality that we need for this advanced course. So, you need to install software that will make your Mac run Windows.
1) Install Windows on your Mac using software like Bootcamp or Parallels
2) Install Office on Windows - you can get it from ITS
3) Install Visual Studio. Good news: you can download the Community edition from the web for free
4) Add VSTO (also free, see #5 below)

*** Unverified note: a 2025 student reported that newer Macs that have the M1 chip only support the ARM version of VS, and that the ARM version of VS does not support VSTO. Bottom line: you cannot use your M1 Mac to do homework.

I have a Windows computer

1) Install Office for Windows (likely, you have it already)
2) Download Visual Studio. Good news: the Community edition from the web is free.
3) Add VSTO (free, see #5 below)

I have Visual Studio (VS) but I do not have VSTO

5) Start VS
6) Go to Tools > Tools and features > The installer will start.
7) Look for "Office/SharePoint development," which is the one that has VSTO, and select it.

I have Visual Studio and VSTO, and now I need to connect to the database server (only for database homework)

1) Create a text file containing the following text as a single line:
runas /netonly /user:"mcintire\sg6m" "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\Community\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe"
2) Replace "sg6m" with your own McIntire userid
3) Replace in (1) the exact location of Visual Studio (its filename is devenv.exe) in your computer. Find devenv.exe and make the changes.
4) Save the file on your desktop as "VS from home.bat"
5) Start your VPN if you are off grounds.
6) Click on the "VS from home.bat" file and enter your McIntire network password if requested. Note: the cursor will not move, but the password will be accepted
7) In your code, make sure that in your code you refer to the server with its full name: f-sg6m-s4.comm.virginia.edu

I have Visual Studio and VSTO installed but VS is not working

Follow the first time setup instructions

I want to install ADS on my computer

Good news: you can download Azure Data Studio from the web for free. There are versions for Windows and MacOS. MS migth warn you that the software is being retired. Ignore that.

For Windows you most likely need the user installer x64. If that does not work, try the others.
For MacOS you most likely need the universal, else match the chip you have.

If working off grounds, use your UVA VPN to connect. UserId and Password will be given to you in class.

I have ADS on my computer and want to connect to the DB

There are two methods to do so. Only one will work. In class you will be told which one we are using.
Method 1 - Using a userId and password specific to the DB server, OR
Method 2 - Using windows authentication (does not require an userID & password for theDB server)

If using (1), then you need to enter the specific userid and password in your code or in a window asking for it
If using (2) in Windows or in Parallel/Bootcamp (if you have a Mac), then follow the instructions below.

1) Create a text file containing the following text as a single line
runas /netonly /user:"mcintire\sg6m" "C:\Users\sg6m\AppData\Local\Programs\Azure Data Studio\azuredatastudio.exe"
2) Replace "sg6m" with your own McIntire userid
3) Replace in (1) the exact location of ADS (its filename is azuredatastudio.exe) in your computer. You need to find it.
4) Save the file on your desktop as "ADS from home.bat"
5) Start the VPN if you are off grounds
6) Click on the "ADS from home.bat" file and enter your McIntire network password if requested. Note: the cursor will not move, making it look like you are not entering anything
7) Make sure that in your code you refer to the server with its full name: f-sg6m-s4.comm.virginia.edu