I need help on what to download.

Question

I would like to learn more about SQL Server 2008, however when I go to the download page, there are many options, and I dont know exactly what to download. There is SQL 2008 Express, Express R2, Express R3, Express RTM, and then various iterations of them with various service packs.

I understand that the Express edition is the free edition, but I would also like to get experience with Management Studio, Reporting Services, and Analytical Services.

Can someone please help me determine what is needed? I have a new HP laptop with AMD A6 Vision and Windows 8.

Answer 1

My advice for this would be to download SQL Server 2012 Evaluation edition.  This edition contains the entire set of funcitonality as Enterprise edition, but is set to expire 180 days after install.  This gives you 6 months to play around with any feature you are interested in learning. 

You can get SQL Server 2012 Evaluation edition here:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=29066

The other option if you don't want a version that expires is to install SQL Server 2012 Express with Advanced Services, which contains the SQL Server engine, SSMS, and Reporting Services.  This is not the entire set of functionality as Enterprise and has some limitations, but would also provide a great learning environment without the expiration.

You can get SQL Server 2012 Express edition with Advanced Services here (ENU\x64\SQLEXPRADV_x64_ENU.exe):
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=29062

I pointed you to the 2012 edition for both of these since it is the current release.  There is also SQL Server 2008 R2 (which shipped in 2010) and SQL Server 2008.  If you're starting from scratch, I'd suggest using the current release.  If you want the older versions of Eval/Express, you can also find them online.

Thanks,
Sam Lester (MSFT)

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Answer 2

Hi,

If you do not have MSDN subscription, the only free version you can download and run (without worrying about the trial period expiring) is Express. Here is a tabular comparison of the features between various editions of sql server - http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc645993.aspx.

SP1 was recently released for SQL Server 2012, and its no different from service pack for any other microsoft product. Since you intend to start learning without any prior knowledge of SQL Server, its recommended to start with latest version - SQL Server 2012 SP1.

Download Express edition or trail copy of any other edition of SQL Server (2012 or 2008R2) from official MSFT SQL Server website - http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/en/us/get-sql-server/try-it.aspx

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Sanil Mhatre | Database Developer | MCTS | If you find my reply useful in any way, please vote it as helpful. If it has helped answer your question, please mark it as Answer. http://sqlwithsanil.com

Answer 3

Hi,

If you do not have MSDN subscription, the only free version you can download and run (without worrying about the trial period expiring) is Express. Here is a tabular comparison of the features between various editions of sql server - http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc645993.aspx.

SP1 was recently released for SQL Server 2012, and its no different from service pack for any other microsoft product. Since you intend to start learning without any prior knowledge of SQL Server, its recommended to start with latest version - SQL Server 2012 SP1.

Download Express edition or trail copy of any other edition of SQL Server (2012 or 2008R2) from official MSFT SQL Server website - http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/en/us/get-sql-server/try-it.aspx

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Sanil Mhatre | Database Developer | MCTS | If you find my reply useful in any way, please vote it as helpful. If it has helped answer your question, please mark it as Answer. http://sqlwithsanil.com

I did some work for a company and was able to play around with 2008 for a while. It also appears that most companies in my area still seem to be using 2008, so I thought it would be a good place to start. I figured it wouldnt be worth learning the features of 2012 when not many in the area are using it. Am I incorrect in this assumption, or is there little difference between the two? Also, I dont want a trial that expires.

Answer 4

SQL Server 2012 offers significant improvements over 2008. The number and scope of these improvements and how valuable they are to you, depends on how you intend to use sql server with your applications. Microsoft has published the list of improvements here - http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb500435.aspx

I would definitely recommend to start your learning experinence using 2012. Microsoft press has a free e-book to help you get started with learning 2012 -

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/microsoft_press/archive/2012/03/15/free-ebook-introducing-microsoft-sql-server-2012.aspx

If you don't have MSDN subscription, and you don't want a trail version that expires, then the only free option you are left with is the Express edition.

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Sanil Mhatre | Database Developer | MCTS | If you find my reply useful in any way, please vote it as helpful. If it has helped answer your question, please mark it as Answer. http://sqlwithsanil.com

Answer 5

In addition, you may want to review this blogs series

SQL Advent 2012, here is what is coming

Many blogs of this series have been published in last few days.

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Answer 6

If you are new to SQL Server, then it might be an idea start learning one "part" of the SQL Server package. SQL server Management Studio, T-SQL, Reporting Services and Analysis Services are some quite different subjects to learn at once. You'll not find many people that are good in all areas, but in most cases they are more or less specialised in one or two of the areas.

Writing T-SQL queries are something quite different from designing REporting Services reports which again is different from working with Analysis Services cubes (..and MDX or DAX for that matter).

That being said, it's of course good to have some knowledge about all the parts of SQL server, but my personal suggestion will be to find out what you want to learn first and then start with that. Otherwise it might be too overwhelming and you'll just get confused about all the stuff you don't know...:-).

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Steen Schlüter Persson (DK)

Answer 7

As you, gstottish, I had exactly the same question a while back.  Basically, you need to make a decision between 3 options.

 

#1)  Get SQL Server Express 2012 for free, but you don't have SSIS, SSRS, or SSAS

You can purchase the software here:

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=29062

 

 

#2)  Get SQL Server Evaluation 2012 (good for 180 days) and you do have SSIS, SSRS, or SSAS.  After 180 days, you must pay $50 (approx) to activate the software

You can purchase the software here:

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=29066

 

 

#3)  Get SQL Server Developer Edition 2012, and pay the $50 if you think you're really going to use the SSIS, SSRS, or SSAS features (you'll pay now or in 180 days).

You can purchase the software here:

http://www.amazon.com/SQL-Server-Developer-Edition-2012/dp/B007RFXQAM

 

 

 

Great SQL Server Installation Tutorial (with all images) here:

http://blog.sqlauthority.com/2008/06/12/sql-server-2008-step-by-step-installation-guide-with-images/

 

 

 

That should pretty much cover every scenario, based on your original post!!!

BTW, go with the newer technology; 2012 (forget about 2008, which is 5 years old now).

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Ryan Shuell