How to get SQL Server to run on my computer

Grayson Evans 1 Reputation point
2021-02-25T20:13:50.83+00:00

I am trying to teach myself how to use SSMS (what else to do during a pandemic?) I am running Windows7 on Parallels on a Mac Powerbook. 10.14 SSMS seems to run OK (small miracle ) However, I can't get SQL server to run. I am OK to upgrade windows OS, but that will take awhile and really need to learn SSMS asap. Questions: 1. Is there a version of SQL Server that will run on my computer? 2. If so, can someone point me to a download page? 3. If I want to just create a local, on my computer only, demo DB to try out stuff on SSMS, do I really need SQL Server (I have been using MySQL and it works great by itself). 4. Assuming I can get SQL Server working, I have tried by best to understand exactly what it does. I assume it will create a DB and act as an interface to SSMS? I can't find anything on the internet that explains what SQL server does in simple (NON-Microsoft) terms. 5. Does Microsoft actually hire people to make their documentation of software more complicated and pedantic than anyone else? THANK YOU whoever has the time and willingness to answer this! KJ7UM

SQL Server
SQL Server
A family of Microsoft relational database management and analysis systems for e-commerce, line-of-business, and data warehousing solutions.
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  1. Erland Sommarskog 101.4K Reputation points MVP
    2021-02-25T22:20:08.033+00:00

    The most recent version of SQL Server that runs on Windows 7 is SQL 2014. You can download SQL 2014 Express here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=42299.
    You should immediately apply Service Pack 3: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=57474

    And, yes, you need SQL Server to have any use for SSMS. SSMS is just a tool to talk to SQL Server.

    As for what SQL Server does - it does the same as MySQL: it is a relational database management system, RDBMS. Beware, though, that SQL Server and MySQL do not always do things in the same way. This is true for about any pair of RDBMS.

  2. AmeliaGu-MSFT 13,961 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    2021-02-26T06:00:39.213+00:00

    Hi GraysonEvans-8402,

    For system requirement, you also can download SQL Server 2014 Developer Edition with Service Pack 3 from Visual Studio Subscriptions on Windows 7 SP1. And here is an article about step-by-step installation which might help.

    Assuming I can get SQL Server working, I have tried by best to understand exactly what it does. I assume it will create a DB and act as an interface to SSMS?

    After connecting to SQL Server, you can create a database by right-clicking Databases, and then click New Database in the SSMS. Or you can use CREATE DATABASE statement to create a Database. Please refer to this doc which might help.
    And the documentation for SQL Server 2014 has been archived. You can get it from here or you can install SQL Server documentation to view offline in SSMS.

    Best Regards,
    Amelia

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