Getting SQL Server for Free

Microsoft has a completely free version of SQL Server called SQL Server Express Edition. It's more powerful than you might think. Learn about it in these videos with Brent Ozar and Jeremiah Peschka:

• SQL Server Express Edition Tutorial Video - Brent and Jeremiah explain the features and limitations of Express Edition.
• SQL Server Management Studio Express Tutorial - get the free SQL Server management tool and learn how to use it.
• Free SQL Server 2008 Download of Evaluation Edition - want to play with SQL Server 2008 for free?

SQL Server Download Links

Getting started with SQL Server development, and you want a free version or an update? Here's the links:

• SQL Server Free Editions - Microsoft provides two free editions of SQL Server, Express and Compact Edition. These provide most of the functionality of the full-blown SQL Server, but without the footprint or cost.
• SQL Server Licensing - or, why there's no such thing as a SQL Server crack or serial number online.
• SQL Server Release Date Calendar - helps you find out when new service packs or cumulative update packs are available for download.
• Our SQL Server Training Podcasts - free tutorial videos by SQL Server experts to help you get free training on database technology.
• Free SQL Nexus Download - an open source project from Codeplex that offers insight into your SQL Servers.

SQL Server 2005 Downloads

Here's our favorite add-ons and scripts you can use with SQL Server Management Studio:

• Free SQL Server 2005 script to remove unused indexes - SQL Server 2005 and 2008 come with new Dynamic Management Views that make systems administration easier. This tutorial explains how to use one.
• Free TableDiff.exe Tool for SQL Server 2005 - SQL 2005 ships with this free tool out of the box to compare two tables and find the differences. Doing this is difficult with Query Analyzer or Management Studio, but TableDiff.exe makes it easy.
• Free Performance Dashboard for SQL Server 2005 - the Performance Dashboard is a free set of reports for SQL Server Management Studio 2005.

SQL Server 2000 Downloads

Even though SQL Server 2000 has been out for years, it can be tough to find good, free SQL Server 2000 training. These links can help.

• Why SQL Server Books are Hard to Find - Kevin Kline talks about why the publishing industry is having a tough time. This really affects the availability of tough-to-find topics like SQL Server 2000 training.

SQLServerPedia Downloads and Scripts

Our editors recommend these links:

• SQL Server Reporting Services Tutorial - Jason Hall of Quest wrote a presentation on getting started with SSRS, and the free download is available.
• Downloading SQL Server backups - Andy talks about the difficulties of copying large database backups from one server to another.
• Oracle DBAs needing training on SQL Server - David Swanson talks about how Oracle database administrators can get up to speed on SQL Server 2005.