Installing SQL Server (Basic)

So you're going to start working with SQL Server? this blog wi'll help you installing and using SQL Server. this first steps to using SQL Server is by installing Sql server.

In this example i'm going to use the installation of SQL Server 2012.

Download Sql server 2012 express from the following the following link

Depending on what kind of processor you are using, pick the installation download.
If you have an X64 processor (64bit) you choose ENU\x64\SQLEXPR_x64_ENU.exe
if you are using an X86 processor (32bit) you choose ENU\x86\SQLEXPR_x86_ENU.exe.

Once you have downloaded the file, and you executed the file, this is the first screen you'll gonna get:

Choose installation on the left site and choose new sql server stand-alone installation or add features to an existing installation.

The next step is the rule check, if everything is ok, you'll get the following screen:

Accept the license terms and click next.

Wait for the following screen and click install

In the next screen you get the installation options, normally all the options are checked, but if you are only going to use the database engine you can deselect SQL Server Replication and the shared features. The installation location is normally to the C: drive but if you have 2 disks (For example C and D) it's preferable to install it on the D:\ drive.

For better performance it is the best to put the transaction log files (.LDF) on a seperate disk. This is the best practice.

Click next.
In the following screen you define the name of the instance, you can also leave this as default, then it will be MSSQLSERVER

Click next.
In the following screen you can define the user account under which the sql server instance will run.
Default this is created for you, but you can also create a windows (domain) user and run it under that context. The startup type is automatic. Leave the sql server browser disabled.

In the tab Collation you can specify the preferred Collation which will run on your sql server.

Click next.
In the following screen you define the authentication mode, default this is windows authentication mode, Which means you can only log on as a windows user. you also can specify mixed mode, which means you can login as a windows user and/ or as a sql user.

Here you also specify a password for the sa (System administrator) account. make sure this one is hard to guess, this account has all the prefileges.

The installation user is default added as sql server administator.
In the tab data directories, you can specify where to put the database files.

 Make sure that if possible to store the transaction log files on a seperate disk from the data files.

Click next, skip error reporting, after that you get the overview of the chosen options, and after that the installation begins.

When the installation finishes, you get the following screen:

first restart the machine and you are ready to GO.

More later on..