Although I'm familiar with mysql and have built numerous websites with that sort of backend, i'm unfamiliar with mssql and website foundations. I may be involved in litigation soon where i need to request from the opposing party their database driven website (powered by ecommerce from IBM). I have a feeling they'll be handing over the sql db, and that's about it. What else should i ask them for so that i can look at the db and poke around the records? do i need servername, username, password, etc? Any help would be appreciated. Also, for a gui to poke around the db, what would you recommend?
Are you sure it's MSSQL and not DB2, which is IBM's database. Also, do you know how you are going to have access to it? If it is MSSQL, you can create your own copy from a sql import using sql 2005 express. http://www.microsoft.com/sql/editions/express/default.mspx If they just give you access to it, the management studio express (Also available at that link) is a great GUI to look at everything. SQL 2005 express and management studio express are both free.
Good question. As of right now, the courts memordandum said that the db is in ms sql format. It *may* be in DB2, so i'll have to find out more. I'm going to be produced the db i believe on exported DVD's containing the mssql files (different archive years). That's my best guess. If I go ahead and utilise sql2005exp , assuming they give me a dvd containing the db's, what sort of admin questions do i need to ask their db admin so that i can seemlessly load it. Do i need pw and login info? EDIT: i was just told that we may be provided backup tapes from a certain year range. This complicates things a bit. But the initial review process is still to go with what you suggested if that is the format that the db is in.
If they give you discs with just a big database backup or dump, then all you should have to do is create a local mssql database, and use the restore or import option to populate the database on your computer. The username and password will be specific to your instance and not the master database, unless it is encrypted or otherwise protected. Management studio is a fairly simple GUI that will let you visually browse the database once it is restored, or you can use a query browser to manually look for stuff. MSSQL syntax is very similar to Mysql so switching to it shouldn't be a major problem. There are a few differences right off the bat like LIMIT vs TOP, but for most queries, just pretend your using mysql.
SQL Express has database size limits. I don't remember the size but think it is around 1 GB. If this is an ecommerce site you may need to use a 'real' version of MSSQL. If they give you backup copies you will need to know what software performed the backup and any security settings used, IE admin only on restore. If they did use security on the backup you will need to know the admin account information. Once you have more information you can contact me here. I am a SQL DBA and have been for years, so hopefully I can answer your questions.
Express 2005 limits at 4GB for actual storage space which is decent, and hopefully large enough. I think SQL 2000 Desktop was 1Gb, but still has a ceiling either way. You may be able to use the developers edition which is under $100 if you need a higher limit. Not sure if this would violate the dev license or not. As long as it's not deployed in production, it seems like it would be OK.
It depends on what grounds the litigation is on but it is highly unlikely that they will give you the data from within the db due to data protection/ privacy laws which will protect the identity of their clients and this is what will make up the majority of the db space. If you are claiming they have stolen your ecommerce application then you are likely to simply get the db structure dump including stored procedures/ functions etc. It depends on "how well written" it is will dictate how different it is going to be from MySQL. Straight queries and structure tends not to be very different between SQL servers but stored procedures start to diverge especially if they are using TSQL etc.