Interviews are two way streets, sometime interviewer asks questions and sometime candidate asks questions. In a recent interview, I was asked by a candidate “How to Get Started with SQL Server 2016?”. I think it is a very good question. Let us discuss that today.
Question: How to Get Started with SQL Server 2016?
Answer: SQL Server 2016 was released on June 1st, 2016, that means when I write it is many months old. During a conversation with industry friends and blog readers, I have figured out that yet there are many users have yet not tried to this version of SQL Server. I can totally understand if users are not willing to experiment with the production server as that requires planning and lots of changes in the system. However, I believe as a SQL Server data professional, we must download the latest version of our product and try that out in the our local environment or on our personal machine.
To get started the latest version of SQL Server, you need four things.
- Download latest version of SQL Server
- Install the latest SQL Server version
- Install SQL Server Management Studio
- Install a sample database
Here I have listed few important resources which can help you get started with SQL Server 2016 in no time.
Step 1: Download SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition for FREE
Here is a blog post in which I describe the steps which can help you to download latest version of SQL Server for FREE.
Step 2: Install SQL Server 2016
Here is a video blog post in which I have explained how one can install the latest version of the SQL Server. The video is just 120 seconds long, so there is no excuse to not watch the video.
Step 3: Install SQL Server 2016 Management Studio
In the latest version of SQL Server, the SQL Server Management Studio is not a part of the default installation. It requires a separate download process and installation.
Here is a blog post in which I describe the steps which can help you to download and install SSMS 2016.
Step 4: Install Sample Database
Microsoft has introduced new sample database WideWorldImporters. This is a new sample database and it is available for free.
Here is a blog post in which I describe the steps which can help you to download and install the sample database Wide World Importers.
Reference: Pinal Dave (http://blog.sqlauthority.com)
First appeared on How to Get Started with SQL Server 2016? – Interview Question of the Week #085