NOTE: If you know the answer of this question, then I request you to stop reading this post right now. Please do not leave comment about this blog post not being useful to you, if you knew the answer.

Few days ago, I received DM asking What is an AdventureWorks database and why in all the examples I use that instead of any other database (e.g. Pubs or  Northwind)? As matter of fact, when I went back to my question list, which I have yet not answered, there were a few more variations of this same question.

AdventureWorks is a Sample Database shipped with SQL Server and it can be downloaded from http://codeplex.com site.

AdventureWorks has replaced Northwind and Pubs from the sample database in SQL Server 2005.

The Microsoft team keeps updating the sample database as they release new versions.

Here are some quick links:
AdventureWorks SQL Server 2008 SR4

AdventureWorks 2008R2 November CTP

AdventureWorks for SQL Azure (December CTP)

AventureWorks for SQL Server 2005 SP2A

SQL SERVER – 2008 – Download and Install Samples Database AdventureWorks 2005 – Detail Tutorial

I have previously written few other articles on the same subject; you can find them easily here: [email protected]

Reference: Pinal Dave (http://blog.SQLAuthority.com)

Filed under: Pinal Dave, SQL, SQL Authority, SQL Documentation, SQL Download, SQL Query, SQL Server, SQL Tips and Tricks, T SQL, Technology