Last month your homework was to set up your own lab. Now it’s time to put a sample database or two on at least one SQL instance. Microsoft has provided copies of AdventureWorks for years and recently switched over to Wide World Importers.

Download the database backups

• AdventureWorks
• Wild World Importers: Info/Download

Then pick your instance(s) (if you have more than one) and restore them.

Simple enough and again, no grade involved. However for bonus points download the sample scripts, unzip them and review them. Really all we are doing here is setting up a place to work and test things.

I also recommend:

• Keep the backups so you can restore over any changes you have made. Over time, with lots of practicing, making changes etc they get a bit scrambled so it’s easier to just overwrite them.
• Create a Test database. This will give you a place to create new tables, code, whatever that you don’t want to put in your AW or WWI databases.
• Don’t be afraid to add a new database to test things like in-memory, filestream etc that require additional filegroups.
• This is a practice environment and most of what you are creating probably won’t be something you care about saving, but best practices are always a good idea. Regular backups, index maintenance, etc are always a good idea and good practice.

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