Start Out

Start out with SQL Server Express

You want a free database that's simple to use. We've got that. SQL Server Express is the free version of SQL Server you're asking for. Fear not intrepid programmer, this is not some incomplete version. It's more than you'd expect from freeware.

Download SQL Server Express

Free. Seriously.

We did mention it was free, right? You get a 10GB of storage, free redistribution and, of course, SQL Server is free to develop on, deploy and get updates for. You also get great developer tools. Get SQL Server 2008 Express Redistribution Rights >

Report Designer, preview, publish, and manage reports

Reporting - Visualize all manner of information from your database automatically. From site traffic to anything else you can think of, reporting makes your data easier to interpret so you can make better business decisions. Learn more >

Online Backup - Never lose your data, or your mind, again. Online backup is free and lets you restore your database if the unthinkable ever occurs. Learn more >

Management Studio - allows you to configure, manage, administer, and develop all components of SQL Server. Hosted inside Visual Studio, it lets you manage, view, query, create, connect and so much more! Learn more >

Introduction to Sync Framework Database Synchronization

Sync your data - Easily link up multiple SQL Server databases even on multiple devices and even when you're offline. Learn more >

Map your data - With Bing Maps (aka Virtual Earth) or the MapPoint add-in for SQL Server you can easily create and view maps to geographically visualize your data. See where your customers are. Find out where to focus your efforts. The possibilities are endless. Oh, and it's free too.
Try PHP with Bing Maps >
Bing Maps Tutorials and Demos >
Bing Maps & SQL Server step by step >
Try MapPoint Add-in for SQL Server >

You <3 PHP. So do we.

In our latest release, Microsoft Drivers for PHP for SQL Server 2.0, we re-architected our code to add PDO support. A PHP developer now has the flexibility to use the driver that best meets their needs, either the SQLSRV driver with its native procedural API or the PDO_SQLSRV driver, to interoperate with SQL Server or SQL Azure and enjoy the benefits of a scalable relational database. Read the blog >
Download the v2.0 drivers

Working with WordPress

You want a blog on WordPress. You'll need a database and it doesn't get much simpler than SQL Server. Grab the WordPress patch and you'll see just how seamlessly they work together. Download the WordPress patch

Drupal 7 with SQL Server

Announced at DrupalCon 2010 and now available is Drupal 7 with SQL Server. Dries Buytaert and Commerce Guys announced the CTP release for SQL Server PDO Driver and SQL Server Module for Drupal 7, providing SQL Server support for users building on Drupal 7. Get Started with Drupal

Learn. See. Do.

SQL Server Express editions and features
3:11 | 04/08/2010

Get Started with PHP on Windows with SQL Server Express >

Installing PHP applications on Windows (Including Drupal and WordPress) >

Create Silverlight Apps for
PHP >

Set up your first blog >

Set up your first website >

SQL Server Express How-To-Guide Series >

SQL Server Express for Web Developers >

Beyond the Basics

You may be just starting out, but SQL Server is here for as long as you need it with all kinds of great features.

SQL Azure - Save on hardware costs and host in the cloud. We even give you 90 days for free.
Learn more >

Don't pay to grow - We have all kinds of free development tools for full text search, indexing, FILESTREAM support, and more.
Learn more >

Need more performance? - Get parallelized queries and filtered index functionality. That's right. For free.
Learn more >

SQL Server Agent - Automate all kinds of pesky administrative tasks and free up your valuable time. (Web Edition and up)
Learn more >

< Web Server

Tools >

Everything you need to get started, FREE with a single streamlined installer.