We will use Microsoft SQL Server for our practice; there are several versions out there both free and commercial. I selected the LocalDB because it's the one with less memory footprint and yet, has a complete set of features.
You will need to download some software prior to installation:
- Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0 available at http://at5.us/Ch1U3
- Update 4.0.2 for Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0 (as in Microsoft article KB2544514) available at http://at5.us/Ch1U4
- SQL Server 2012 Express LocalDB available at http://at5.us/Ch1U5
- SQL Server Native Client 11.0 available at http://at5.us/Ch1U6
- SQL Server 2012 Command Line Utilities available at http://at5.us/Ch1U7
- AdventureWorks DW Database creation scripts available at http://at5.us/Ch1U8
Download all these files and put them in a folder, for example, C:install.
The setup is very straightforward, in a command prompt window do the following:
- Install the SQL Server 2012 Express LocalDB engine by running:
C:installSqlLocaLDB.MSI - Accept the agreement and click your way out through the Next button; no special attention other than clicking on Continue to allow the user account control permission to install. The setup will take one minute, if not seconds, and it's very simple.
We are using a stripped down version of Microsoft SQL Server 2012 database. This LocalDB engine features almost everything from the full-fledged product but runs as a user application, not as a service like its major siblings do. It is important to remember this detail because only the currently logged on user will be able to connect to the database instance.
LocalDB has very low memory requirements and guarantees quick data access on small machines.
Check the successful outcome by issuing in a command prompt:
sqllocaldb info
The system will answer with the version number:
v11.0
which is also the name of the default instance.