Microsoft BI Stack Project: Getting Started

With this project, our aim is to develop a data warehouse with Analytical and reporting capabilities.

We will be using sample database of a fictitious company.

We will be using AdventureWorks Sample database backup available at Github.

Before we start, we need to know what is SQL server? Before that what is a server?

For easy understanding, think of it as your laptop or computer or mobile or tablet. As a matter of fact, any storage device with in-built capabilities to access the data stored.

When I say data, I mean the binary 0's and 1's.

So the question comes, can we say our laptop as a server. The answer is Yes, off-course!

You can store your data/application/file/texts on your laptop. Your laptop has an operating system which accesses those for you. Read this

What is SQL server?

This is a server developed by Microsoft which helps you access and store relational databases.

Where do I download it?

You can go to SQL server Download to download server. This is a free trial version and will be available for 6 months.

Once Installed. You will need a SQL Server Management Studio to connect to the server installed on your system. You can also use Visual Studio for data connection. I would prefer SSMS.

SSMS is a free tool used to connect to the database. Keep in mind that you will be connecting the Instance of SQL server using SSMS and then you would be able to access the database hosted on the server.

Once installed, look up for the tool

You will be asked for connection details

Note: This is to connect to the instance of SQL server. You will have to select the server name. Since the server is installed on my personal machine, I will connect it using my hostname. Also, I would use Windows Authentication as specified during installation of SQL server.

Once logged in, you will have to add the AdventureWorks backup database you downloaded earlier

Remember the database downloaded was a backup file.

Follow screenshot below to load the database