This gist file provides a comprehensive guide on how to connect a Microsoft SQL Server database to a Laravel application.

larave_db_connect_with_microsof_sql

Step 1: Download the PHP Drivers for SQL Server
  - Visit the [Microsoft Drivers for PHP for SQL Server](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/connect/php/download-drivers-php-sql-server?view=sql-server-ver16)
  - Download & unzip then select "php_sqlsrv.dll" & "php_pdo_sqlsrv.dll" file an appropriate version for your PHP installation.
  - Copy & Paste that file and move in your ext folder inside php for ex: D:\xampp\php\ext
(Note:  downloaded zip file unzip & open "SQLSRV_Readme" file to check your appropriate dll file. base on your php version)

Step 2: Update the php.ini File

  Open your `php.ini` file and add the following lines:
  ```ini
  extension=php_sqlsrv.dll
  extension=php_pdo_sqlsrv.dll

Step 3: Restart Your Web Server

Step 4: Install ODBC Driver 17 for SQL Server
  - Install the [ODBC Driver 17 for SQL Server on Windows](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/connect/odbc/download-odbc-driver-for-sql-server?view=sql-server-ver16#download-for-windows) to ensure your system can communicate with the SQL Server database.
  
Configuration in Laravel
=========================

Step 1: Install Required Composer Packages in your project
  - composer require doctrine/dbal
  - composer require ext-sqlsrv


Step 2: Update config/database.php
  Add the SQL Server connection configuration:

  'sqlsrv' => [
      'driver' => 'sqlsrv',
      'host' => env('DB_HOST', 'localhost'),
      'port' => env('DB_PORT', '1433'),
      'database' => env('DB_DATABASE', 'forge'),
      'username' => env('DB_USERNAME', 'forge'),
      'password' => env('DB_PASSWORD', ''),
      'charset' => 'utf8',
      'prefix' => '',
      'prefix_indexes' => true,
  ],
  
 Step 3: Update .env file
 
  DB_CONNECTION=sqlsrv
  DB_HOST=your_sql_server_host
  DB_PORT=1433
  DB_DATABASE=your_database_name
  DB_USERNAME=your_database_username
  DB_PASSWORD=your_database_password

Replace with your actual credentials