SQL script to "copy" a database

CREATE DATABASE mydatabase_copy AS COPY OF mydatabase;

This will work on an AZURE Database, and will achieve the same end result. Two attached databases - the original and the copied one.

Try this:

USE master
GO
-- the original database (use 'SET @DB = NULL' to disable backup)
DECLARE @DB varchar(200)
SET @DB = 'PcTopp'
-- the backup filename
DECLARE @BackupFile varchar(2000)
SET @BackupFile = 'c:\pctopp\sqlserver\backup.dat'
-- the new database name
DECLARE @TestDB varchar(200)
SET @TestDB = 'TestDB'
-- the new database files without .mdf/.ldf
DECLARE @RestoreFile varchar(2000)
SET @RestoreFile = 'c:\pctopp\sqlserver\backup'
-- ****************************************************************
-- no change below this line
-- ****************************************************************

DECLARE @query varchar(2000)
DECLARE @DataFile varchar(2000)
SET @DataFile = @RestoreFile + '.mdf'
DECLARE @LogFile varchar(2000)
SET @LogFile = @RestoreFile + '.ldf'
IF @DB IS NOT NULL
BEGIN
SET @query = 'BACKUP DATABASE ' + @DB + ' TO DISK = ' + QUOTENAME(@BackupFile, '''')
EXEC (@query)
END
-- RESTORE FILELISTONLY FROM DISK = 'C:\temp\backup.dat'
-- RESTORE HEADERONLY FROM DISK = 'C:\temp\backup.dat'
-- RESTORE LABELONLY FROM DISK = 'C:\temp\backup.dat'
-- RESTORE VERIFYONLY FROM DISK = 'C:\temp\backup.dat'
IF EXISTS(SELECT * FROM sysdatabases WHERE name = @TestDB)
BEGIN
SET @query = 'DROP DATABASE ' + @TestDB
EXEC (@query)
END
RESTORE HEADERONLY FROM DISK = @BackupFile
DECLARE @File int
SET @File = @@ROWCOUNT
DECLARE @Data varchar(500)
DECLARE @Log varchar(500)
SET @query = 'RESTORE FILELISTONLY FROM DISK = ' + QUOTENAME(@BackupFile , '''')
CREATE TABLE #restoretemp
(
LogicalName varchar(500),
PhysicalName varchar(500),
type varchar(10),
FilegroupName varchar(200),
size int,
maxsize bigint
)
INSERT #restoretemp EXEC (@query)
SELECT @Data = LogicalName FROM #restoretemp WHERE type = 'D'
SELECT @Log = LogicalName FROM #restoretemp WHERE type = 'L'
PRINT @Data
PRINT @Log
TRUNCATE TABLE #restoretemp
DROP TABLE #restoretemp
IF @File > 0
BEGIN
SET @query = 'RESTORE DATABASE ' + @TestDB + ' FROM DISK = ' + QUOTENAME(@BackupFile, '''') +
' WITH MOVE ' + QUOTENAME(@Data, '''') + ' TO ' + QUOTENAME(@DataFile, '''') + ', MOVE ' +
QUOTENAME(@Log, '''') + ' TO ' + QUOTENAME(@LogFile, '''') + ', FILE = ' + CONVERT(varchar, @File)
EXEC (@query)
END
GO

Got it from here

Is there a way to write a script that will just detach, copy the file on the HD, and then reattach both copies?

Yes. For detaching and attaching you can use sp_detach_db and sp_attach_db. For copying the files, you can use xp_cmdshell and xcopy.

Still, I think the backup-and-restore approach is easier, since it does not require you to copy the files.

I'm not sure, but I think you are looking for this:

BACKUP DATABASE MyDB TO DISK='D:\MyDB.bak'