Overview

Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database that is used to store data in tables. Microsoft SQL Server Express is a lightweight version of SQL Server which is free to download, distribute and use.

To use SQL Server, an instance needs to be created. This represents a complete SQL Server which contains its own copy of the server files, databases, and security credentials. The Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio is used to create and manage SQL Server instances and so it is suggested that this is downloaded.

This document describes how to set up a database in either SQL Server or SQL Server Express 2008 and above.

Please note that for SmartBundle users, SQL Server Express is installed as part of the WIN-911 installation. Optionally, SQL Server Management Studio version 19 can also be installed.