What’s New in the SQL Server 2008 R2 Developer Training Kit — January 2011Microsoft released the January 2011 update to the SQL Server 2008 R2 Developer Training Kit to help developers get up to speed with the platform’s tools, features, and best practices. Although SQL Server 2008 R2 was already a mature product by 2011, this update bundled new and refreshed training materials, hands-on labs, demo code, slide decks, and videos that reflected recent tooling improvements and clarified common development scenarios. This article walks through the key additions and improvements in the January 2011 update, why they mattered to developers at the time, and how you could use the updated kit to accelerate learning and adoption.
Overview: purpose and contents of the update
The Developer Training Kit is designed to be a practical, self-contained learning resource for developers building applications on SQL Server. The January 2011 update focused on:
- Refreshing hands-on labs and demo code to align with bug fixes and service packs released since the original kit.
- Adding examples and walkthroughs that addressed real-world developer scenarios, such as performance tuning, data-tier application patterns, and leveraging new BI tooling.
- Updating slide decks and videos to reflect UI and tooling changes in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), Reporting Services, and Visual Studio integration points.
- Consolidating and clarifying steps for deploying Data-tier Applications (DAC) and creating more reproducible lab environments.
Updated labs and practical exercises
Hands-on labs are the core value of the training kit. In the January 2011 update, many labs were revised to improve clarity, fix step inconsistencies, and ensure compatibility with the latest service pack and component updates. Highlights included:
- Improved setup instructions: Clearer prerequisites and environment configuration steps reduced the chance of setup errors, especially in virtual machines or lab environments.
- Reworked performance tuning labs: Examples showed how to use updated DMV queries, execution plan analysis, and index tuning techniques that reflected cumulative updates.
- Data-tier Application (DAC) labs: Expanded walkthroughs that demonstrated packaging, deployment, and versioning practices for DACs — important for application lifecycle management.
- Reporting and BI labs: Updated samples for Report Builder and SSRS integration with SharePoint and native modes, plus demonstrations of report parameterization and drill-through reports.
These changes were aimed at lowering friction for learners and increasing the likelihood that a lab would complete successfully on the first try.
Enhanced demo code and sample databases
The kit’s demo applications and sample databases received several fixes and enhancements:
- Sample data fixes: Corrected data integrity or formatting issues in sample databases that previously produced confusing results in labs or demos.
- Updated sample applications: Code examples were updated to work with the latest Visual Studio and .NET patches available at the time. This included fixes in connection strings, compatibility settings, and provider usage.
- Cross-component examples: More end-to-end demos tying together database design, CLR integration, reporting, and application code to illustrate full-stack development scenarios.
These improvements made the demos more realistic and directly useful as starting points for developer projects.
Revised slide decks and instructor materials
For trainers and classroom settings, slide decks and instructor notes were refreshed:
- Corrections and clarifications: Slides were edited to remove ambiguous steps and to better align with lab changes.
- New instructor guidance: Tips for pacing, expected completion times, and common troubleshooting items were added to help instructors manage classroom sessions more effectively.
- Updated visuals: Screenshots and UI references were updated where tooling behavior had changed.
These updates improved the training experience for both self-learners and instructors.
Updated videos and walkthroughs
The January 2011 bundle included short videos demonstrating key tasks and walkthroughs:
- Step-by-step screencasts: Videos showed updated UI flows in SSMS, Report Builder, and Visual Studio integration, making it easier for learners to follow along.
- Focused topics: Short clips emphasized commonly troublesome tasks (e.g., deploying a DAC, fixing common reporting issues) so learners could get quick help without re-running full labs.
Videos were optimized for clarity and to match the revised labs, reducing mismatches between video content and hands-on instructions.
Tooling and compatibility notes
The update documented compatibility considerations and recommended tooling versions:
- SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS): Notes specified which SSMS builds aligned best with the labs and demos to avoid confusing behavior caused by differing UI or features.
- Visual Studio integration: Guidance on Visual Studio versions and the required components (such as the SQL Server Data Tools or add-ins available at the time) helped ensure sample projects opened and ran as expected.
- Service pack and cumulative updates: The kit referenced the relevant service pack and hotfix levels that resolved bugs or changed behavior that the labs assumed.
Clear compatibility guidance reduced setup issues and helped learners replicate the intended environment.
Focus on Data-tier Applications (DAC)
The January 2011 update put extra emphasis on Data-tier Applications, reflecting their growing importance for DBAs and developers coordinating deployments:
- Expanded labs and examples for DAC packaging and deployment.
- Best-practice notes for versioning and managing schema changes as part of application releases.
- Guidance for integrating DAC deployment into automated build and release workflows.
This made the kit more valuable to teams looking to standardize database deployment processes.
Why this update mattered to developers
Although incremental, the January 2011 update mattered because:
- It reduced friction in labs, increasing learning effectiveness.
- It fixed demo code and sample data, making examples trustworthy starting points.
- It clarified tooling requirements, saving time troubleshooting compatibility issues.
- It highlighted deployment patterns (like DACs) that improved application lifecycle management.
For teams training new hires or preparing migrations, the updated kit offered practical, corrected resources that matched the then-current SQL Server environment.
How to use the updated kit effectively (best practices)
- Match tooling versions: Use the recommended SSMS and Visual Studio versions to avoid UI and compatibility surprises.
- Start with the prerequisites: Follow the revised setup instructions exactly to avoid environment-related failures.
- Run labs end-to-end: Complete labs in sequence to build concepts incrementally.
- Reuse demos: Adopt sample apps as starting templates, updating connection strings and configuration to your environment.
- Incorporate DAC practices: Use the DAC labs to build repeatable deployment steps for your applications.
Limitations and context
Keep in mind:
- The content targets SQL Server 2008 R2 specifically; newer SQL Server releases have different features and tools.
- Some tools referenced (like older Visual Studio versions or specific add-ins) may no longer be supported on modern operating systems.
- The update was corrective and incremental rather than introducing major new features.
Conclusion
The January 2011 update to the SQL Server 2008 R2 Developer Training Kit focused on improving the reliability, clarity, and real-world usefulness of training materials. By updating labs, demo code, slide decks, and videos, and by emphasizing data-tier application practices, the kit became a more practical resource for developers and trainers working with SQL Server 2008 R2 at that time. If you’re working with legacy SQL Server environments, the updated kit remains a useful reference for development patterns and deployment techniques relevant to that version.
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