Choose Standard Developer or Enterprise Developer in SQL Server 2025, inspect the edition, and test against production features.
SQL Server Instance or Database: What Is the Difference?
A SQL Server instance is the engine and a database is one set of data inside it. What each level owns, why a login and a user are different objects, and which line to draw when you separate customers or teams.
Find SQL Server Installation Date and Time with T-SQL
The SQL Server Installation Date is the create date of the NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM login, and one short query reads it. This post compares that clue with other dates that look right but aren’t, shows how to work out an Evaluation expiry date, and lists the cases where the clue is wrong.
Running SQL Server in a Container for Testing
Create a SQL Server container for testing from Windows PowerShell, keep data in a named volume, and separate disposable runtime from backups.
Building a Test Server From a Script
Build a test server from a script with unattended SQL Server setup, repeatable configuration, and sample data that can be reset after each run.
How to Check Your SQL Server Version, Edition and Patch Level
Check your SQL Server version, edition and patch level with one query. How to read the build number, why ProductLevel still says RTM on a patched server, and the edition surprise a health check finds most often.
What a Cumulative Update Actually Contains
Understand a SQL Server cumulative update, identify your build and servicing branch, and read fixes and known issues before planning a patch.