Download Northwind Database For Sql Server 2008
Notation: SQL Server 2005 Users Click Hither for the SQL Server 2005 version of this article
- Download Northwind and Pubs database files only - 1.17 MB
- Download Northwind and Pubs database files simply (from MSDN) - 1.17 MB
Introduction
The Northwind and Pubs sample databases are staples of other sample code on this and other evolution websites. They are used in countless tutorials and walkthroughs published past Microsoft and others. Being a SQL/SQL Server newbie myself, I figured in that location may be others in my gunkhole who might want both databases in an easily-accessible spot, and an easier, less error-prone way of installing them into SQL Server 2008 Limited Edition than, say, running SQL query scripts.
In that location accept been requests for an update to my SQL Server 2005 commodity for SQL Server 2008; and so, by pop demand, here is the update! This article is based on an installation of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Limited Edition with Tools, Service Pack ane, on a auto with Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Service Pack ane, installed.
I was not 100% sure at commencement whether to write this new commodity -- because the user-interface in SQL Server Express 2008 Direction Studio is well-nigh identical to that of the 2005 edition -- but decided to anyhow, but so to distinguish between the two versions and to assist users who come up with errors or issues which may peradventure be unique to the 2008 version; these errors can exist posted and discussed hither, split from the 2005 version's article.
Audience
SQL Server beginners and database development beginners are the audience for whom this article is written.
I wrote this back in 2007, when I myself was merely starting out with SQL Server. I was searching the documentation and came upon samples making use of the Northwind and the Pubs databases. Nevertheless, I was unable to detect annihilation in MSDN that really walked ane through installing them in SQL Server Management Studio. Therefore, back and then I wrote this commodity, then as to assist other SQL Server beginners.
This is NOT a copy & paste article. I am an experienced technical writer, and an astrophysicist. Perchance it may be the case that Microsoft has already posted new documentation on installing databases into SQL Server Management Studio graphically; however, at the time this article was originally posted back in 2005, at the time I had been unable to locate an equivalent article in the Microsoft documentation; hence, I wrote my own, which has evolved into this article.
So, relish this article, for what it's worth.
Groundwork
Information technology's lost on me why one must use *.sql query scripts to install these samples. It'south also lost on me why SQL Server distributions don't come with these databases provided, since they are used so ubiquitously through documentation, websites, and tutorials. At that place are probably several good reasons for this. Even so, I am focused on usability, and not on making things harder than they accept to be.
There undoubtedly will be readers who will protest and say that I should use *.sql query files whenever possible; this is practiced and a perfectly adequate exercise. For example, if you accept circuitous queries or you need to attach several databases in a batch, and so *.sql query files can be very useful. I come across this article equally illustrating merely some other mode to accomplish a like objective.
It's worth noting, for case, that a default Visual Studio .NET 2008 Professional person Edition installation does not distribute these databases. Unlike the previous version of Visual Studio .NET, it does not even get part-way by installing the required SQL Scripts --- at least, I have not been able to locate them with the latest version. The download fastened to this article contains the latest version of the Northwind and Pubs database files every bit distributed by Microsoft on MSDN.
Personally, I favor using graphical (GUI) tools and methods over typing cryptic commands and deciphering error messages. So, this article illustrates how to install the Northwind and Pubs databases using graphical tools and methods.
Steps: Installing the Northwind and Pubs Databases
Note: The steps above make apply of SQL Server Direction Studio Express, which sometimes doesn't install forth with a Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Express Edition install. For this example, you need to install SQL Server 2008 Express with Tools from this website.
Footstep one: Using the download link above, download the Nix file containing the following files. Excerpt the files to a directory on your computer and remember where yous put them. For these steps to piece of work, yous must have the post-obit files on your reckoner:
- NORTHWND.MDF
- NORTHWND.LDF
- PUBS.LDF
- PUBS.MDF
Notation: Make sure that you lot have read-write access to these files, and that they are in an easily-accessible directory. For ease-of-use, I suggest using C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\Information, or its analogy on your system, which is where Microsoft SQL Server 2008 prefers to store flat database files.
Step 2: On the Starting time carte du jour, click All Programs, open up the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 folder, and then click SQL Server Management Studio.
SQL Server Management Studio starts and displays the Connect to Server window, shown in Figure i.
Figure 1. The Connect to Server window
Fill in the appropriate settings on the Connect to Server window that appears, and and so click Connect.
SQL Server Management Studio Express opens the Object Explorer with the server's databases displayed.
Step iii: Correct-click the Databases binder so click Attach, as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2. The Object Explorer window
Step 4: In the Attach Databases window, click Add....
The system prompts you for the proper *.mdf file using the Locate Database File window, every bit shown beneath in Figure 3.
Figure 3. The Locate Database File window
Step 5: Locate and click on the NORTHWND.MDF file, and and so click OK.
The correct pane of the Attach Databases window volition look as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4. The right pane of the Attach Databases window after adding the Northwind database
Stride 6: Repeat steps 4 and v for the PUBS.MDF file.
When you're done, and if y'all did the proper actions, the right pane of the Attach Databases window should wait as displayed in Figure v.
Effigy 5. The right pane of the Attach Databases window after adding the Pubs database
Footstep 7: In the Attach Databases window, click OK. The window displays the progress of the operation and whether it has completed successfully.
Step eight: To check that everything was successful, in the Object Explorer window, click the plus sign to open up the Databases folder.
The Northwind and Pubs databases will be displayed, as shown in Figure six.
Effigy six. The Object Explorer after importing the Northwind and Pubs databases
Where to Go for Assist
Feel free to email me with specific questions about this article, and I will be happy to explain. I also desire to invite you to make utilise of the forums at the bottom of this article. I wish y'all well and happy programming.
History
In this section, I will go on a running history of the changes and updates I've made to this article:
- 18 Oct 2013, 10:57 AM Pacific: Article updated with an 'Audience' section to quell any objections equally to this being only a 'copy & paste' article. It's not.
- iv Oct 2009, iii:27 PM Primal: This article, for SQL Server 2008 Express with Tools, written.
- 29 Sept 2009, xi:25 PM Central: Article download link to reflect the official Microsoft release location highlighted: http://www.codeproject.com/Messages/2901428/Northwind-and-Pubs-for-SQL-2000-and-up-from-Micros.aspx.
- 16 Oct 2007, 2:13 PM Pacific: Article for SQL Server 2005 Express Edition version of the management tools written.
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