Get list of databases from SQL Server

Question

How can I get the list of available databases on a SQL Server instance? I'm planning to make a list of them in a combo box in VB.NET.

Accepted Answer

Execute:

`SELECT name FROM master.sys.databases`

This the preferred approach now, rather than `dbo.sysdatabases`, which has been deprecated for some time.

Execute this query:

```
SELECT name FROM master.dbo.sysdatabases
```

or if you prefer

```
EXEC sp_databases
```

Solution