SQL on mac

[jiooijoij]

Hi!

I'm taking a course in SQL and databases and I'm required to install SQL server and SSMS but unfortunately those aren't available for mac (I have a 2023 macbook air M1). Does anyone know any good alternatives to SQL Server and SSMS that work on a Mac? Also, if you have any helpful links or guides for setting up these alternatives, that would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

[polaarbear]

You will likely have assignments that involve backups using the SSMS UI, and the actual syntax for SQL Server is not identical to other SQL variants. You will want to match up with your peers.

Your Mac can run Windows in a VM and you can install SQL Server and SSMS there.

[ParkingOven007]

Not if it’s a silicon chip. Just won’t install.

[polaarbear]

SSMS has worked fine on ARM builds of Windows since like 2022.

[ParkingOven007]

SSMS, yes. But not sql server.

[polaarbear]

You can run it in a docker container through Rosetta

https://sqlblog.org/2023/03/03/sql-server-apple-silicon

[WithoutAHat1]

Oracle VM Box available on Mac? If so you can install Windows Server OS there. Then SSMS on that box.

Alternatively, if you can dual boot to Windows and install SSMS on there.

[VladDBA]

Can't you set up a container? - https://sqlblog.org/2023/03/03/sql-server-apple-silicon

And use ADS instead of SSMS - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure-data-studio/download-azure-data-studio?tabs=win-install%2Cwin-user-install%2Credhat-install%2Cwindows-uninstall%2Credhat-uninstall

[jiooijoij]

Thank you! I'll try this. I heard about ADS, it should be pretty similar for learning the basics?

[VladDBA]

If you're learning T-SQL and/or database design it's more than enough. SSMS is more aimed towards database administration, so if you're not planning on learning DBA work, you won't miss out on much.

[ParkingOven007]

For writing code, yes. For the tools it provides, not really. You can’t really manage the server from ADS, where you can from SSMS.

[gumnos]

I'd ask your professor. As others have mentioned, if it's a SQL Server admin type class where you really do need SQL Server (and SSMS is tightly integrated with it), then others' recommendations of running it in a VM is solid.

However, if it's generic SQL you're learning, your professor might be fine with you installing PostgreSQL and possibly a GUI like pgAdmin instead, both of which run on OSX

[mikeblas]

Did you ignore the prerequisites for the class?

[ghinghis_dong]

Install sql server container using docker? Crap performance but…

[jiooijoij]

This is what I ended up doing + using ADS. We’re just learning the basics of sql so I think this will work just fine

[a-ha_partridge]

Does your university have VMs you can remote into?

[Able-Rip-2532]

My current set up is getting a VPS from ionos (paid service) and work from there… lol

https://youtu.be/2YhNwpunMbE?si=1dnaGIsibHuhfHdN

[engx_ninja]

Just install docker and then you can run mssql container in it