Download sql server 2008 samples and sample databases

This version is ideal if you want to work with simple projects, because it requires fewer resources and you'll be able to perform the majority of the operations that are available in the complete version.

If you work with databases, SQL Server Express Edition will come in very handy to manage all the information efficiently. SQL Server has certain limitations in comparison with the complete version:. Download SQL Server Express Edition for free and enjoy this software that's ideal to work with small projects and companies. I've read in several places that I need to use AdventureWorks There isn't an.

You aren't alone in finding this confusing -- it seems the web site, files and steps Microsoft provides for installing these databases changes every time I need to install them. You need to create the database and attach the. Note: You must remove the log file from the list of files to attach.

This will cause the operation to rebuild the log. Above image displays the location where Sample Database is installed. This is very important task otherwise your database will be created with empty tables. This method requires to create empty database initially and then after restoring it from backup.

Please pay attention to radio buttons and checkbox on the screen as it is very important to select the right options when restoring database. The following screen is most important, make sure to select options displayed in the screen or database will not be restored.

If you want to install AdventureWorks database version , the methods works fine. This collection of databases is meant to show how to properly design databases and how applications use them efficiently. It eventually transitioned over to SQL Server. AdventureWorks Cycles is another classic database representing a fictional company created and published by Microsoft. The Contoso University is an updated database to show how a schooling database would look like.

It's a simple database example. There is also a sample script of how to create it. Each one has certain tables included like badges and post history. It's probably best to determine what data you find relevant and download the appropriate version. Finally, we have the Chinook database which represents a digital media store, including tables for artists, albums, media tracks, invoices, and customers.

This was a collection I felt necessary to create because of all of the different flavors of databases you can use to test without damaging your own database. Did I miss a database?

Which one is your favorite?