Database playground

Preparations

To get our own SQL up and running we are gonna need few things:

SQL Server
SQL Management studio (SSMS)
Database filled with data

If you’re not preparing for a job in SQL and just want to try some SQL code, then perhaps this might be enough.

https://data.stackexchange.com/stackoverflow/query/new

It’s a web portal where you can write queries directly agains the sample Stack Overflow database.

Everyone else, read on.

1. SQL Server

This is the server we will connect to. Normally companies have it on separate machine, but we will install it locally.

We have a choice between Express and Developer edition. Both are free and since Developer edition has a bit more functionality, we’re gonna go with that.

Download link https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sql-server/sql-server-downloads

Installation

For speed we’re gonna go with the Basics installation. You can always change the details later.

2. SQL Management Studio (SSMS)

With this program we will connect to our newly installed SQL server. This is the tool you will use the most when writing SQL code. Always download and use the latest stable version, it doesn’t matter which version of SQL Server you’re using.

Download link https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/ssms/download-sql-server-management-studio-ssms?view=sql-server-2017

Installation

This installation is straightforward – no screenshots needed.

3. Database

We need some data to run our queries on.

Lucky for us, Microsoft provides us with that as well. We are gonna download Adventure Works database.

https://github.com/Microsoft/sql-server-samples/releases/tag/adventureworks

I’d recommend AdventureWorks2016_EXT.bak. You can choose any version, that is same or lower year than that of your SQL Server (ours is 2017).

Also be careful not to download the files that containt DW in their name – that means DataWarehouse and it has data stored differently than we need to.

Installation

This will require us to fire up SQL Management Studio (SSMS) and connect to our SQL Server.

I will write out the text, but there is a screenshot guide below.

Open SSMS studio
Connect to our SQL Server
1. If you followed basic install it will be the name of your machine
Open Object Explorer
1. It might be opened as default
2. If not use hotkey F8
Expand the server, right click on the Database folder
Choose option “Restore Database“
In the popup on the “General” page select radio button “Device”
1. Click on the ellipses …
2. Click on “Add“
3. Navigate to folder where you downloaded AdventureWorks2016_EXT.bak
Back in the popup you should see the table populated.
Click OK and it’s done, we have our database.