Versions of the AdventureWorks 2008

Question

What are the differences in the content of the AdventureWorks databases when installed by the following revisions:
AdventureWorks2008_SR4
AdventureWorks2008R2_NovemberCTP
SQL2008.AdventureWorks_All_Databases.x86 (Revision 3)
 
Are the revisions only related to the installers or there are database differences? 

Answer 1

Hmmm, yes, this is a bit confusing. 

AdventureWorks2008_SR4  installs the AdventureWorks2008 databases and uses a new installation method that is much easier to use.
AdventureWorks2008R2  installs the AdventureWorks2008R2 databases and is intended for use with the new product SQL Server 2008 R2.  It is basically the same as AdventureWorks2008, but has updated datetime columns and some new tables in the AdventureWorksDW (data warehouse) that contain extra product descriptions in several languages. 
SQL2008.AdventureWorks_All_Databases.x86 (Rev 3) is the AdventureWorks2008 databases but with the older (and less friendly) installation method. 


I recommend going with AdventureWorks2008_SR4. 

Kind Regards,
Gail

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Gail Erickson [MS] This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights

Answer 2

Hi, I am a little confused still.

You recommend the AdventureWorks_SR4, however are the actual AdventureWorks databases older versions (i.e. non R2 versions - without the updated datetime columns & new tables in the DW database)?

I have just done an install of AdventureWorks_SR4 on the current release of SQL Server 2008 R2 (May 2010) and expected to see the AdventureWorks2008R2 databases and Analysis Services samples.

However I am only seeing 2008 databases, and no R2 samples.

Should I go back to the AdventureWorks2008R2 version?

Confused, Ben

Answer 3

Hi Ben,

For my money, I don't think you need to also install the AdventureWorks2008R2 databases, but it certainly wouldn't be a problem to do so. The two versions of the databases can reside on your instance of SQL Server 2008 R2 together, or, to save disk space, you can drop the older databases.

The reality is most books about SQL Server 2008 or 2008 R2 that use these sample databases for their examples are probably using the older AdventureWorks2008 database.  On the other hand, we recently updated the product documentation (Books Online) for SQL Server 2008 R2 to refer to the AdventureWorks2008R2 database.  But because the two database versions have the same schema, the examples in Books Online or other published books will work with either database.  You'll just need to change the database name used in the examples to map to the database you have installed. 

Hope I haven't made you more confused. 

Gail

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Gail Erickson [MSFT] This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights