The process of acquiring and installing a specific, free edition of a database management system initially released in 2014, designed for entry-level database needs. This commonly involves accessing the Microsoft website, locating the appropriate download link for the edition, and executing the installer package. An example would be a small business needing a basic database for accounting software on a single server.
This activity provides access to a limited but fully functional database platform, beneficial for developers, students, and small organizations. It offers a cost-effective solution for learning database management, prototyping applications, and deploying small-scale database solutions. Historically, its availability has lowered the barrier to entry for database development and management, fostering wider adoption of SQL Server technologies.