Selecting a SQL Server 2017 Edition

Andrew analyzes and writes about Microsoft's data management, business intelligence, and machine learning solutions, as well as aspects of licensing... more

SQL Server 2017 delivers small changes to the edition lineup of the product, including notable changes first delivered in SQL Server 2016 SP1. There are three editions of SQL Server 2017 to consider when using the product in its primary roles of database server, reporting server, or analysis server. Organizations should understand the platform and role SQL Server 2017 is to be used for and how the features and capabilities included in an edition align with that role.

Editions and Roles

SQL Server editions are packaged such that each higher edition offers a unique set of features and limits built upon the features of the edition below it. Most organizations should evaluate the following three editions of SQL Server 2017 for use in a production environment:

SQL Server Express (free)
SQL Server Standard
SQL Server Enterprise.

A Developer edition provides the same technical features as Enterprise edition; however, its use is restricted to scenarios involving the design, development, test, and demonstration of software built on SQL Server, and it is not available for normal production use. The Developer edition is available for free through the Visual Studio Dev Essentials (VSDE) program or paid Visual Studio/Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Platforms user subscriptions.

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