Download MS Sql Server database and Management Studio 2005/2008 2

[BxWill]

Hopefully, this is the appropriate forum to post -

Interested in fine-tuning my sql skills in extracting data from a MS Sql Server database using my personal laptop while away from the office.

Therefore, I assume that I can download the express version of the MS Sql Server database onto my laptop and load with sample data.

Additional assumption is that I can load Management Studio - 2005 or 2008 version.

Questions - Is there a method and/or tool available to load the tables within the MS Sql Server database with sample data so that I can query using Management Studio?

Is it possible/feasible to download Management Studio onto the laptop?


Any additional insight is appreciated.

 

[markros]

I would suggest to do the following:

1. Download SQL Server 2008 R2 Express with Advanced Services

Once you have it installed on your laptop, you can go to CodePlex and download AdventureWorks databases which contain sample database often referred in sample code.

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[gmmastros]

yes. yes. and yes.

There are various versions of SQL Server. There's SQL2005, SQL2008, and SQL2008R2. Each of these database engines offer an express (free) version. If you want to learn SQL because of your job, then I would encourage you to download and install a version of express that is the same as your company has. However, if you just want to learn for your own benefit, I would encourage you to download and install the newest version (SQL Server 2008R2).

Each version of express has various downloads, primarily because of the size of the download. You can download the database engine only, the management studio only, or both combined. Since you probably don't have anything installed on your computer right now, I would recommend you download both. To download both, you'll want to download the one that says "with advanced services", because it includes both.

Another thing to pay attention to is whether you download the 64 bit version or the 32 bit version. If your computer has a 64 bit processor and you are running a 64 bit operating system, then you should download the 64 bit version, otherwise download the 32 bit version.

SQL Server 2005 Express

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=184

SQL Server 2008 Express

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=1842

SQL Server 2008R2 Express

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=26729

I am reasonably certain that the express versions come with a sample database called "Adventure Works". If it doesn't, you can google it and download it separately. There are a lot of web site articles and even books that use the adventure works database as a sample for explaining things.

-George
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"The great things about standards is that there are so many to choose from." - Fortune Cookie Wisdom

 

[markros]

AdventureWorks is a separate download. The SQL Server does not install sample databases as part of the install.

PluralSight Learning Library

 

[BxWill]

Will download SQL Server 2008 R2 Express with Advanced Services and review information on AdventureWorks.

Ideally, would like to populate a few tables within the SQL Server 2008 R2 Express database with sample medical-related data (CPT codes, dummy provider names, diagnosis codes, etc.) similar to what is within the database at work.

Any thoughts as to the tool and/or process that companies use to perform the periodic load of the Sql Server databases with data from external files?

I would like to "mirror" this process on a smaller scale on my version of the Sql Server database that is on a laptop with a 64-bit processor, a 320 GB HDD and 4 GB DDR3 Memory.

 

[markros]

Most likely the companies use SSIS which comes with SQL Server (but not Express version).

If you want to learn SQL Server and not use it for production work, you may want to get Developer's version of SQL Server for $50. It has everything that Enterprise version of SQL Server has.

With Express version of SQL Server you would not be able to save packages for re-use, but you can still use Import/Export Wizard to load your data - you will just need to repeat this process every time.

PluralSight Learning Library

 

[BxWill]

Not able to connect to the Adventure Works database.

Downloaded and installed Sql Server 2008 Express Edition and AdventureWorks 2008 R2_SR1.exe on a laptop with Windows
7 Vista Home Premium and Office 2010.


Is it possible to briefly provide the specific steps needed to setup the AdventureWorks database to enable querying of tables and views?

Will continue to troubleshoot and review the internet for solutions but thought that someone may be able to readily provide some valuable insight.

(The ultimate goal is to demo the Power Pivot for Excel 2010 add-in using the data within the Adventure Works database. Not able to install the add-in due to "Missing prerequisites.")

 

[gmmastros]

It appears as though you have SQL Server 2008, but downloaded Adventure Works 2008 [!]R2[/!].

Try downloading adventure works from here:

http://msftdbprodsamples.codeplex.com/releases/view/37109

-George
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
My Blogs
SQLCop
twitter
"The great things about standards is that there are so many to choose from." - Fortune Cookie Wisdom

 

[BxWill]

Note, I initially installed AdventureWorks by double clicking on the msi file at the location that I initially saved the download - C:\Download.


Upon accessing the recommended site, I am presented with two choices - 1) AdventureWorks2008_SR4.exe and 2) SQL2008.AdventureWorksLT 2008_Only_Database.zip

I will download "AdventureWorks2008_SR4.exe" and try the installation process again.


Is it necessary to review if MS Office 2010 was installed as 32-bit or 64-bit? Note, I am using Office Professional Academic 2010
version.

(The reason why I ask is that the initial load of PivotPower for Excel 2010 using the file titled "PowerPivot_for_Excel_amd64.msi" was not successful. However, I was able to install the file titled "PowerPivot_for_Excel_x86.msi." Therefore, it appears that I may have installed MS Office 2010 as 32-bit.)

 

[gmmastros]

MS Office does not matter for this. You don't even need it.

-George
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
My Blogs
SQLCop
twitter
"The great things about standards is that there are so many to choose from." - Fortune Cookie Wisdom

 

[BxWill]

Still not able to connect to the AdventureWorks database using Management Studio.

Somewhat a novice at this and continuing to resolve...

Just to recap, I installed SQL Server 2008 R2 Express Edition and AdventureWorks 2008 R2_SR1.exe on a 64-bit laptop with Windows 7 Home premium.

Then, installed Adventure Works2008_SR4.exe

Within "Program Files/Microsoft SQL Serveer/100/Tools/Samples" are the following files;

AdventureWorks 2008 Analysis Services Project
AdventureWorks 2008 Data Warehouse
AdventureWorks 2008 LT
AdventureWorks 2008 OLTP
AdventureWorks 2008R2 Analysis Services Project
AdventureWorks 2008R2 Data Warehouse
AdventureWorks 2008R2 LT
AdventureWorks 2008R2 OLTP
AdventureWorks Analysis Services Project
AdventureWorks Data Warehouse
AdventureWorks LT
AdventureWorks OLTP

Is it possible to briefly state the specific steps to connect to the appropriate AdventureWorks database?

Currently trying to connect to the appropriate AdventureWorks database via object explorer within Management Studio but haven't had much success...

 

[gmmastros]

First things first.

After logging in to SQL Server Management, you should be able to expand databases in the object explorer window and the databases should be listed there. Do you see this?

-George
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
My Blogs
SQLCop
twitter
"The great things about standards is that there are so many to choose from." - Fortune Cookie Wisdom

 

[BxWill]

No. The databases are not listed.

Upon opening the SQL Server 2008 R2, I am presented with a "Connect to Server" form that has;

Server type: Database Engine
Server name: (local)
Authentication: Windows Authentication
User name: OneTwo-PC\OneTwo
Password: