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Querying SQL Server 2012 Training Kit

AmyKernow 1 Reputation point
2020-08-27T12:18:13.17+00:00

Apologies in advance, this is very new to me.

My boss wants me to start learning SQL queries to assist with reports at work, and the company uses SQL Server 2012.

I've been given the Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Training Kit book (textbook and practice questions) and have installed SQL Server 2012 as the book instructs, and the sample database. When I open the database it appears to load but isn't connected to a server. Is this ok to practice queries?

The book says I need a server instance but I thought that was what I had downloaded; perhaps not. It says to try one go to the link http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/en/us/get-sql-server/try-it.aspx

This link takes me to the 2019 version, and I can access older versions back to 2014 only. Is there a way to access 2012 or does it not matter about the version too much?

I do have a knowledge of queries and databases and have seen many created and even error corrected some; just never had to set it all up! At the moment I just need to get started so I can start learning!

Thanks very much in advance. If any answer could be in lamens terms please, I'm still getting to grips with the terminology.

SQL Server
SQL Server
A family of Microsoft relational database management and analysis systems for e-commerce, line-of-business, and data warehousing solutions.
12,994 questions
Transact-SQL
Transact-SQL
A Microsoft extension to the ANSI SQL language that includes procedural programming, local variables, and various support functions.
4,570 questions

3 answers

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  1. Vaibhav Chaudhari 38,666 Reputation points
    2020-08-27T12:35:43.07+00:00

    If this is for learning, you should be good to download, install the latest version i.e. SQL Server 2019. From the below link, you can download the developer edition, install and use it.

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

    Reference for step by step installation - https://computingforgeeks.com/install-sql-server-developer-edition-on-windows-server/

    Please don't forget to Accept Answer and Up-vote if the response helped -- Vaibhav

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  2. Stratos Matzouranis 36 Reputation points
    2020-08-27T12:52:40.153+00:00

    SQL language is the same for 2012 and 2019 version the only thing that changes is the T/SQL functions.

    For example STRING_AGG T/SQL function works only after 2017 version.

    So the main point is that you dont really care about RDBMS version to learn SQL quering.

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  3. EchoLiu-MSFT 14,576 Reputation points
    2020-08-28T03:20:37.397+00:00

    Hi @AmyKernow ,

    Please check whether you have downloaded and installed sql server 2012. If you download it, there will be a sample database. Have you restored the sample database to instance? If not, please refer to the link below to restore:
    AdventureWorks sample databases

    Normally, Microsoft officially does not support sql server 2012, so it is not possible to download sql server 2012. If you must use the 2012 version, it is recommended that you find your boss to install the package.

    If it is early learning, it is recommended to use the latest version of SQL server (sql server2019). Each new version of sql server just made some improvements on the basis of the old version, or added some functions, the basic sql syntax is the same. So which version you learn will not affect your later work.

    In addition, the official Microsoft documentation is a good learning material, it contains a detailed introduction and examples of tsql, you can practice through the adventureworks database.(A few examples may not run successfully in sql server2012)
    E.g：FROM clause plus JOIN, APPLY, PIVOT (Transact-SQL)

    Finally,involving database installation and operation issues, I suggest you open a thread in Azure SQL database forums, i
    People there will help you more effectively.Hope this could help you.

    If you have any question, please feel free to let me know.
    If the response is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it.

    Best Regards
    Echo

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