How to Download SQL Server Developer Edition for Devs

Hello Devs, are you looking for a reliable and efficient software to manage and analyze your data? If so, you have come to the right place! In this article, we will guide you on how to download SQL Server Developer Edition, one of the most popular and widely used database management software in the world. Follow the steps below and get started with SQL Server today.

What is SQL Server Developer Edition?

Before we dive into the download process, let’s first understand what SQL Server Developer Edition is. SQL Server is a relational database management system developed by Microsoft. It is used to create, manage, and analyze databases and data warehouses. SQL Server Developer Edition is a free version of SQL Server that is designed for developers and testing purposes. It has all the features of the enterprise edition, but the license is limited to non-production environments.

If you are a developer or an IT professional who needs to work with databases, SQL Server Developer Edition is a great choice. It allows you to experiment and test new features without incurring any costs. Moreover, it can be installed on multiple machines, making it easy to collaborate with your team.

With that said, let’s move on to the download process.

Download SQL Server Developer Edition

Step 1: Sign up for Visual Studio Dev Essentials

In order to download SQL Server Developer Edition, you need to sign up for Visual Studio Dev Essentials. This is a free program that gives you access to a range of tools and services, including SQL Server Developer Edition. To sign up, go to https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/dev-essentials/ and click the “Join or access now” button.

Fill in the required information and create a new account. Once you have signed up, you will be taken to the dashboard.

Step 2: Download SQL Server Developer Edition

Now that you have signed up for Visual Studio Dev Essentials, you can download SQL Server Developer Edition. To do so, follow these steps:

Table 1: Download SQL Server Developer Edition

Step	Action
1	Go to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sql-server/sql-server-downloads
2	Scroll down to the “Developer” section
3	Click the “Download now” button
4	Select the desired language and click “Download”
5	Choose the installation type and click “Download” again

Once the download is complete, run the setup file and follow the on-screen instructions to install SQL Server Developer Edition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the system requirements for SQL Server Developer Edition?

The minimum requirements for SQL Server Developer Edition are:

• 64-bit processor with at least 1.4 GHz
• 2 GB of RAM
• 6 GB of free hard disk space
• Windows operating system (Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012, or Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1)

For additional requirements and recommendations, please refer to the official documentation.

What is the difference between SQL Server Developer Edition and other editions?

SQL Server Developer Edition is a free version of SQL Server that is designed for development and testing purposes. It has all the features of the enterprise edition, but the license is limited to non-production environments. Other editions of SQL Server, such as Standard and Enterprise, have different licensing models and are intended for production use.

Can I use SQL Server Developer Edition for production purposes?

No, SQL Server Developer Edition is not licensed for production use. If you need to use SQL Server in a production environment, you should purchase a license for Standard or Enterprise edition.

Can I upgrade from SQL Server Developer Edition to Standard or Enterprise edition?

Yes, you can upgrade from SQL Server Developer Edition to Standard or Enterprise edition. However, you need to purchase a license for the upgraded edition and go through the proper installation process.

Can I install SQL Server Developer Edition on a virtual machine?

Yes, you can install SQL Server Developer Edition on a virtual machine. However, you need to make sure that the virtual machine meets the system requirements for SQL Server Developer Edition.

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed how to download SQL Server Developer Edition, a free version of SQL Server that is designed for development and testing purposes. We have provided step-by-step instructions on how to sign up for Visual Studio Dev Essentials and download SQL Server Developer Edition. We have also answered some frequently asked questions about SQL Server Developer Edition. We hope this article has been helpful in getting you started with SQL Server.