Welcome, Dev! In this article, we will delve deep into the world of SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced developer, this guide will provide you with all the necessary information to use SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition effectively. Let’s get started!
Overview of SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition
SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition is an advanced version of Microsoft’s SQL Server database management system. It offers a wide range of features and tools that are specifically designed for developers to create powerful and scalable applications. The Developer Edition is similar to the Enterprise Edition in terms of functionality, but it is licensed for non-production use only. This means that it is perfectly suitable for developers to use for development, testing, and demo purposes.
In this section, we will discuss the main features and capabilities of SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition.
1. Advanced Security Features
Security is of utmost importance when it comes to managing databases. SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition comes with enhanced security features that provide protection to your sensitive data. Some of the advanced security features include:
Feature |
Description |
|---|---|
Row-level security |
Restricts access to specific rows in a table based on user roles |
Dynamic data masking |
Redacts sensitive data from unauthorized users |
Always Encrypted |
Encrypts sensitive data at rest and in motion |
These features ensure that your data is protected from unauthorized access and keeps your database secure.
2. Query Store
SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition comes with Query Store, which is a new feature that helps you troubleshoot query performance issues. It stores a history of query execution plans and statistics, which enables you to analyze and compare query performance over time. With Query Store, you can easily identify performance regressions and optimize query performance.
3. In-Memory OLTP
In-Memory OLTP is a memory-optimized database engine that provides faster performance by eliminating disk I/O. SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition offers enhanced support for In-Memory OLTP, which includes:
Feature |
Description |
|---|---|
Clustered columnstore indexes |
Provides columnstore indexes for memory-optimized tables |
Native JSON support |
Provides support for JSON data in memory-optimized tables |
Automatic checkpointing |
Automatically persists memory-optimized tables to disk |
This feature allows you to improve the performance of your database by providing faster data access.
4. Stretch Database
Stretch Database allows you to stretch your on-premises database into the cloud, which provides cost-effective storage and improved query performance. SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition offers enhanced support for Stretch Database, which includes:
Feature |
Description |
|---|---|
Improved security |
Enhanced security features for data in transit and at rest |
Improved performance |
Optimized data transfer between on-premises and cloud databases |
Improved manageability |
Integrates with Azure portal for easier management |
5. PolyBase
PolyBase is a technology that allows you to access data stored in Hadoop or Azure Blob Storage using SQL queries. SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition offers enhanced support for PolyBase, which includes:
Feature |
Description |
|---|---|
Parallel processing |
Optimizes query performance by processing multiple data sources in parallel |
Improved connectivity |
Improved connectivity to Hadoop and Azure Blob Storage |
Improved security |
Enhanced security features for data in transit and at rest |
This feature allows you to easily integrate data from Hadoop or Azure Blob Storage into your SQL Server database.
Installation and Configuration
In this section, we will discuss how to install and configure SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition. We will walk you through the installation process step-by-step and provide some tips on how to configure your database for optimal performance.
1. Download SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition
The first step in installing SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition is to download the installation files from the Microsoft website. Once you have downloaded the installation files, you can start the installation process.
2. Install SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition
During the installation process, you will need to select the features that you want to install. Make sure that you select the Developer Edition option. You will also need to provide some basic configuration settings, such as the instance name, server name, and authentication mode.
3. Configure your Database
Once you have installed SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition, it is important to configure your database for optimal performance. Some of the important configuration settings include:
4. Set the Maximum Memory
By default, SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition uses all the available memory on your server. It is important to set the maximum memory to ensure that other processes have enough memory to run.
5. Enable Instant File Initialization
Instant File Initialization allows SQL Server to allocate disk space for data files quickly, which improves performance. To enable Instant File Initialization, you need to grant the “Perform Volume Maintenance Tasks” permission to the SQL Server service account.
6. Enable Trace Flags
Trace Flags are a set of parameters that provide additional information about database operations. Enabling trace flags can help you troubleshoot performance issues and optimize your queries.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the difference between SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition and Enterprise Edition?
The main difference between SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition and Enterprise Edition is the licensing. Developer Edition is licensed for non-production use only, while Enterprise Edition is licensed for production use. The Enterprise Edition also offers additional features and capabilities that are not available in the Developer Edition.
2. Can I use SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition for production use?
No, SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition is licensed for non-production use only. If you want to use SQL Server for production use, you need to purchase the appropriate license.
3. What are the system requirements for installing SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition?
The system requirements for SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition vary depending on the specific features that you want to install. You can find the detailed system requirements on the Microsoft website.
4. Can I upgrade from a previous version of SQL Server to SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition?
Yes, you can upgrade from a previous version of SQL Server to SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition. However, you need to make sure that your hardware and software meet the minimum requirements for the upgrade.
5. What kind of support can I expect for SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition?
Microsoft offers support for SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition through various channels, including the Microsoft Support website, community forums, and user groups. However, the support options are limited compared to the support options for the Enterprise Edition.
Conclusion
SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition is a powerful tool that provides developers with all the necessary features and capabilities to create scalable and efficient applications. In this article, we have discussed the main features and capabilities of SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition, as well as the installation and configuration process. We hope that this article has provided you with all the necessary information to use SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition effectively.