What Version of SQL Server Do I Have?

Dear Dev, if you are wondering which version of SQL Server you have installed on your system, you’re in the right place. In this article, we will show you how to easily find out the version of SQL Server you have, and provide you with a comprehensive guide to all the different versions available.

How to Check the Version of SQL Server?

There are several ways to check the version of SQL Server that you have installed. The most common way is to use SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) which is a free tool that allows you to manage SQL Server.

Method 1: Using SQL Server Management Studio

Here are the steps to check the version of SQL Server using SSMS:

Step	Description
Step 1	Open SQL Server Management Studio.
Step 2	Connect to the SQL Server instance you want to check.
Step 3	Click on the Help menu.
Step 4	Select “About”.
Step 5	The version number will be displayed in the dialog box.

This method works for all versions of SQL Server.

Method 2: Using Command Prompt

Another way to check the version of SQL Server is to use the Command Prompt. Here are the steps to check the version of SQL Server using Command Prompt:

Step	Description
Step 1	Open Command Prompt.
Step 2	Type the following command: sqlcmd -S servername -Q "SELECT @@VERSION"
Step 3	Replace servername with the name of your SQL Server instance.
Step 4	Press Enter.
Step 5	The version number will be displayed.

This method also works for all versions of SQL Server.

Different Versions of SQL Server

SQL Server is a relational database management system developed by Microsoft. Over the years, Microsoft has released several versions of SQL Server, each with its own set of features and enhancements.

SQL Server 2000

SQL Server 2000 was released in 2000 and was the first version of SQL Server to include support for XML and HTTP. It also introduced a number of new data types and database management tools.

However, SQL Server 2000 is no longer supported by Microsoft and is considered an outdated version of the software.

SQL Server 2005

SQL Server 2005 was released in 2005 and introduced significant improvements in security, performance, and scalability. It also introduced new features such as SQL Server Management Studio and database snapshots.

SQL Server 2005 is no longer supported by Microsoft and was replaced by SQL Server 2008.

SQL Server 2008

SQL Server 2008 was released in 2008 and introduced new features such as support for spatial data, transparent data encryption, and policy-based management. It also included improvements in performance and scalability.

SQL Server 2008 is no longer supported by Microsoft and was replaced by SQL Server 2008 R2.

SQL Server 2008 R2

SQL Server 2008 R2 was released in 2010 and introduced new features such as support for multi-server management, PowerPivot for Excel, and data-tier applications. It also included improvements in reporting and analysis.

SQL Server 2008 R2 is no longer supported by Microsoft and was replaced by SQL Server 2012.

SQL Server 2012

SQL Server 2012 was released in 2012 and introduced new features such as AlwaysOn Availability Groups, columnstore indexes, and Contained Databases. It also included improvements in performance and scalability.

SQL Server 2012 is no longer supported by Microsoft and was replaced by SQL Server 2014.

SQL Server 2014

SQL Server 2014 was released in 2014 and introduced new features such as In-Memory OLTP, Buffer Pool Extension, and JSON support. It also included improvements in backup and disaster recovery.

SQL Server 2014 is no longer supported by Microsoft and was replaced by SQL Server 2016.

SQL Server 2016

SQL Server 2016 was released in 2016 and introduced new features such as Query Store, Temporal Tables, and Stretch Database. It also included improvements in security and performance.

SQL Server 2016 is no longer supported by Microsoft and was replaced by SQL Server 2017.

SQL Server 2017

SQL Server 2017 was released in 2017 and introduced new features such as support for Python, graph processing, and automatic database tuning. It also included improvements in scalability and performance.

SQL Server 2017 is still supported by Microsoft and receives regular updates and patches.

FAQ

Q: Do I need to upgrade to the latest version of SQL Server?

No, you don’t necessarily need to upgrade to the latest version of SQL Server. However, it is recommended that you stay up to date with the latest version to take advantage of new features and improvements in performance and security.

Q: How do I upgrade to the latest version of SQL Server?

To upgrade to the latest version of SQL Server, you’ll need to purchase a license for the new version and follow the installation instructions provided by Microsoft. It’s recommended that you backup your databases before upgrading to ensure that any data loss is minimized.

Q: Can I install multiple versions of SQL Server on the same machine?

Yes, you can install multiple versions of SQL Server on the same machine. However, it’s recommended that you install each version in a separate instance to avoid conflicts.

Q: Is there a free version of SQL Server available?

Yes, there is a free version of SQL Server available called SQL Server Express. It includes most of the basic features of SQL Server and is suitable for small applications and development environments.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it’s important to know which version of SQL Server you have installed on your system. This will help you determine if you need to upgrade to a newer version to take advantage of new features and improvements. We hope this article has provided you with a comprehensive guide to all the different versions of SQL Server available.