Did you buy SQL Server for home use?

Question

Did you buy SQL Server for home use?

Jesse Reich

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October 9, 2008 at 12:02 am

#382994

I'd like to do some learning on my home computer with SQL Server 2000 and 2005. I realize I can get the evaluation versions but I'm wondering if professional DBA's actually buy the software for home use and if so, how do they get it? I've heard you can get a license through an MSDN subscription.
They are a little uptight at my job with developers taking the software out of the office.

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Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 1

You can get SQL Server Developer for around $50. Search Microsoft's site, it's somewhere there. Developer has the full Enterprise features, it's just licensed only for development usage.

Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

We walk in the dark places no others will enter
We stand on the bridge and no one may pass

Sakthivel Chidambaram SSCertifiable Points: 5531 More actions · Answer 2

Will SQL 2005/2008 Express edition help your need. Though you cannot have all DBA options in Express edition, It comes free with some options which can help you..

Regards,
Sakthi
My Blog -> http://www.sqlserverdba.co.cc

Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1004415 More actions · Answer 3

I agree with Gail... spend the 50 smackers and buy the Developer's Edition... you won't be sorry.

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

Jesse Reich Hall of Fame Points: 3020 More actions · Answer 4

I knew about MSDN but not Developer's edition...that sounds like the best idea so far. Thanks for the advice.

Kishore.P SSCrazy Eights Points: 8147 More actions · Answer 5

If you have MSDN Subscription, you can download Developer Edition from Microsoft.

Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1004415 More actions · Answer 6

If you have the DVD version of MSDN, you probably already have the Developer's Edition just waiting for you on one of those disks.

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

Jerry Hung SSChampion Points: 12968 More actions · Answer 7

Or live with 180-day evaluations

I don't have MSDN, debating on what to do for my home server

Windows 2008 Trial and SQL Server 2008 Trial? hee hee

SQLServerNewbieMCITP: Database Administrator SQL Server 2005

Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 8

Jerry Hung (10/10/2008)
I don't have MSDN, debating on what to do for my home server
Windows 2008 Trial and SQL Server 2008 Trial? hee hee

Dunno about the OS (Windows home server perhaps), but unless you're hosting production apps on there, you can use SQL developer edition.

Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

We walk in the dark places no others will enter
We stand on the bridge and no one may pass

AnJellyCue Old Hand Points: 390 More actions · Answer 9

I just got SQL 2008 Developer edition for home for my cert training and it cost me incl delivery $95AUD (Approx $60USD)

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Jerry Hung SSChampion Points: 12968 More actions · Answer 10

Amazon.com sells SQL 2008 and 2005 Developer Editions DVD's

$50 USD for SQL 2008

SQLServerNewbieMCITP: Database Administrator SQL Server 2005

Steve Jones - SSC Editor SSC Guru Points: 736504 More actions · Answer 11

You can find deals as well. I got TechNet a few years ago when I took an exam. I got MSDN with my MVP award.

The Express editions will get you something if you want to play, and Evals work fine.

If this is for your career, meaning you're using it to learn and practice, spend a little $$. It's an investment, much cheaper than college or anything else.