SQL express vs developer for MCSE:BI

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SQL express vs developer for MCSE:BI

darkpool

SSC Enthusiast

Points: 143
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December 28, 2015 at 4:15 pm

#148861

Hi all,
I am considering doing the MCSE: Business Intelligence. I currently work in a different field so I will be starting from the beginning, ie: MCSA.
Since I do not currently have access to SQL server I want to make sure I get the right version for use at home while I study and practice.
Express vs Developer? Does the developer version have everything that is required for the MCSA + MCSE:BI?
From what i've read, the MCSE:BI certification has been updated to include SQL 2014 but the MCSA is still on SQL 2012. Therefore I will purchase/download SQL 2014. The developer edition appears to be $59.95 from the Microsoft store.
One last question, is the MCSE generally done through self study? I see there are a few courses offered by various vendors ranging in price/content/duration. However how beneficial is it do do a course that lasts a few days and costs quite a lot, vs just doing everything via self study/practice?
Many thanks

Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)

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Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1004356 More actions · Answer 1

Don't limit your educational endeavors. Get the Developers Edition. It's usually less than $65USD somewhere. You'd pay almost that much for a good book.

--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)

darkpool SSC Enthusiast Points: 143 More actions · Answer 2

Jeff Moden (12/28/2015)
Don't limit your educational endeavors. Get the Developers Edition. It's usually less than $65USD somewhere. You'd pay almost that much for a good book.

thanks. Any advice on my other questions would also be appreciated.

Luis Cazares SSC Guru Points: 183706 More actions · Answer 3

Developer edition is a complete enterprise edition (all the features).

Regarding the other questions, I would say it depends. Some people like to do self study to be able to work on specific items. Some people need the guidance provided by a course, but even then, self study is necessary as the courses won't give you enough time to understand everything completely.

Luis C.
General Disclaimer:
Are you seriously taking the advice and code from someone from the internet without testing it? Do you at least understand it? Or can it easily kill your server?

How to post data/code on a forum to get the best help: Option 1 / Option 2

darkpool SSC Enthusiast Points: 143 More actions · Answer 4

Luis Cazares (12/29/2015)
Developer edition is a complete enterprise edition (all the features).
Regarding the other questions, I would say it depends. Some people like to do self study to be able to work on specific items. Some people need the guidance provided by a course, but even then, self study is necessary as the courses won't give you enough time to understand everything completely.

Ok that's what I figured. I just wanted to check if for some reason an instructor led course was strongly suggested. If not, I would far prefer the self study option along with plenty of tinkering in my own SQL environment at home.

Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1004356 More actions · Answer 5

Jeff Moden (12/28/2015)
Don't limit your educational endeavors. Get the Developers Edition. It's usually less than $65USD somewhere. You'd pay almost that much for a good book.

I've found that courses basically teach the test. They can be a fast track to certification if you want to spend the money. That's also why I generally don't look at the alphabet soup after a person's name when doing interviews. I've found that, much like the Dolphin pin onboard submarines, it's a qualification that means you finally know enough of the basics to start learning what happens in real life. So, yes, anything that you do on the self study side (especially experimentation on your part) will put you well ahead of the competition. I do find that you should probably only do self study exactly as a cert prep book tells you because, if you're like me, you simply don't agree with everything being taught and that makes it real tough to take a test that expects certain answers whether they're right or wrong for real life.

--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)

Luis Cazares SSC Guru Points: 183706 More actions · Answer 6

And if you get stuck on any subject, this forum is full of experts that can guide you. In fact, the entire SQL Server community is very helpful.

Luis C.
General Disclaimer:
Are you seriously taking the advice and code from someone from the internet without testing it? Do you at least understand it? Or can it easily kill your server?

How to post data/code on a forum to get the best help: Option 1 / Option 2