Sample Databases for SQL Server

DBAs and Database Developers always need to test new database-related work before migrating it to Production Environments.

To this end, Test/Development Environments are usually set up in order to allow for testing new administration and programmability features of DBMSs (in our case SQL Server 🙂

Though, by only having such an environment set up is not enough. DBAs as well as Database Developers need sample data in order to manipulate it with various SQL Server operations and record the “responses” of the underlying SQL Server objects (i.e. databases, logins, etc.).

For every version of SQL Server, Microsoft releases sample databases (and many other samples such as code examples, etc.) which allow the user setting up Testing Environments of SQL Server along with sample data, thus being able to easily test new functionality.

It is not random that many SQL Server examples found on blogs, forums and websites, are referring well-known sample databases such as: AventureWorks, Northwind, pubs, etc (well, my posts on Entity Framework use the “pubs” database 🙂

So, by using the links provided below, you can find SQL Server sample databases (as well as other sample stuff) for all the SQL Server versions:

SQL Server 2000
You can download the Northwind and pubs databases from the following link.

SQL Server 2005 and Later
You can find community projects and samples for SQL Server 2005 or later on the following MS Docs article.

Well, that’s it, I guess that now you can continue experimenting with the new features of the latest SQL Server release with using the latest sample data as well! 🙂

 

---

Strengthen your SQL Server Administration Skills – Enroll to our Online Course!

Check our online course on Udemy titled “Essential SQL Server Administration Tips”
(special limited-time discount included in link).

Via the course, you will learn essential hands-on SQL Server Administration tips on SQL Server maintenance, security, performance, integration, error handling and more. Many live demonstrations and downloadable resources included!

Learn More

---

Strengthen your SQL Server Development Skills – Enroll to our Online Course!

Check our online course titled “Essential SQL Server Development Tips for SQL Developers”
(special limited-time discount included in link).

Sharpen your SQL Server database programming skills via a large set of tips on T-SQL and database development techniques. The course, among other, features over than 30 live demonstrations!

Learn More

---

 

Featured Online Courses:

• Introduction to Azure SQL Database for Beginners
• SQL Server 2019: What’s New – New and Enhanced Features
• SQL Server Fundamentals – SQL Database for Beginners
• Essential SQL Server Administration Tips
• Boost SQL Server Database Performance with In-Memory OLTP 
• Essential SQL Server Development Tips for SQL Developers
• Working with Python on Windows and SQL Server Databases
• Introduction to Computer Programming for Beginners
• .NET Programming for Beginners – Windows Forms with C#
• Introduction to SQL Server Machine Learning Services
• Entity Framework: Getting Started – Complete Beginners Guide
• How to Import and Export Data in SQL Server Databases
• Learn How to Install and Start Using SQL Server in 30 Mins
• A Guide on How to Start and Monetize a Successful Blog

 

Related SQL Server Development Articles:

• Error converting data type varchar to float
• Error converting data type varchar to numeric
• The set identity_insert Command in SQL Server
• Handling NULL Character x00 when Exporting to File Using BCP
• The Net.Tcp Port Sharing Service service on Local Computer started and then stopped
• …more SQL Server development articles