Posted by Erland Sommarskog on 03/02/06 00:53

Tim (tpl10@cornell.edu) writes:
> We do not run SQL Server in our shop, but I'm starting to be tasked with
> analyzing SQL Server databases from outside shops. I will need to
> open .MDF files sent to me. Can I do this using SQL Server 2005
> Developer version? Or do we have to spring for the Workgroup version?

You don't really open an MDF file, but rather you attach it SQL Server,
which will open it, and then you can query it from a query tool.

You can use any edition of SQL Server 2005 for this.

However, you should also request to get the LDF file, the transaction
log, as it may be difficult to attach the MDF file alone.


--
Erland Sommarskog, SQL Server MVP, esquel@sommarskog.se

Books Online for SQL Server 2005 at
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sql/2005/downloads/books.mspx
Books Online for SQL Server 2000 at
http://www.microsoft.com/sql/prodinfo/previousversions/books.mspx

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