SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition ?

Mark JB · 6 Dec 2008 at 22:30

Basically I have an SQL Server book I want to work through and I was just about to install the express edition when I remembered a work college telling me he had installed a developer edition which was around £50 for a license which basically allowed you to demo and test the software but wasn't to be used for commercial purposes.

Anyway I have looked and looked and cant find any useful information on it in Microsoft's 10 million unhelpful pages, anyone know if its still available now 2008 is out ?

lokkers · 7 Dec 2008 at 11:03

Given that developer edition is for developers, and contains all versions of SQL I'd find it surprising that licences can be brought at £50 a pop...

If you need full SQL for training, download the trial editions from www.microsoft.com/sql

Mark JB · 7 Dec 2008 at 11:10

Well that's what I thought.

Also does developer mean MSDN lisence as he could have one ?!

lokkers · 7 Dec 2008 at 11:16

It could do. I have an MSDN Subscription through my company, but they aren't cheap.

SiD the Turtle · 7 Dec 2008 at 12:32

It really depends on what you want to do. SQL Server Express will do you fine if you're learning 'just' SQL itself, but not if you're trying to learn things like Analysis Services, Reporting Services and all the other bits and bobs that make up SQL Server.

Mark JB · 8 Dec 2008 at 18:08

It would appear he was right.

*whoops forgot not to link to places that sell software*

It was basically sold on Amazon. It includes all of the functionality of Enterprise Edition, but is licensed for use as a development and test system, not as a production server.

So im assuming that under that license its fine to install on a laptop just to learn a book ? ..... although its no longer available the 2008 developer edition is £44 pound.