Here I’ll show you how to get SQL Server up and running on your Mac in less than half an hour. And the best part is, you’ll have SQL Server running locally without needing any virtualization software.
Installing SQLite on your Mac is pretty straightforward. Just follow these steps: Head over to SQlite.org and download the C source code file, named sqlite-autoconf-3130000.tar.gz or similar, from. Try now for free. Write queries, visualize data, and share your results. Share queries by URL, and organize them in folders. Works for PostgreSQL, MySQL, BigQuery. Never did I think that I'd be able to run SQL Server on my Mac. My, how times have changed. For the first time, SQL Server 2017 allows users to install the product on Linux. This opens the doors for working with fully-featured SQL Server database engines on MacOS through freely distributable Docker containers. This is made possible by running SQL Server from a Docker container. Therefore, there's no need to install a virtual machine with Windows (which was the only way to run SQL Server on a Mac prior to SQL Server 2017). Install and Configure Docker. This is a prerequisite for installing SQL Server on your Mac.
Prior to SQL Server 2017, if you wanted to run SQL Server on your Mac, you first had to create a virtual machine (using VirtualBox, Parallels Desktop, VMware Fusion, or Bootcamp), then install Windows onto that VM, then finally SQL Server. This is still a valid option depending on your requirements (here’s how to install SQL Server on a Mac with VirtualBox if you’d like to try that method).
Starting with SQL Server 2017, you can now install SQL Server directly on to a Linux machine. And because macOS is Unix based (and Linux is Unix based), you can run SQL Server for Linux on your Mac. The way to do this is to run SQL Server on Docker.
Microsoft Sql Server For Mac
So let’s go ahead and install Docker. Then we’ll download and install SQL Server.
Install Docker
Download the (free) Docker Community Edition for Mac (unless you’ve already got it installed on your system). This will enable you to run SQL Server from within a Docker container.
To download, visit the Docker CE for Mac download page and click Get Docker.
To install, double-click on the .dmg file and then drag the Docker.app icon to your Application folder.
What is Docker?
Docker is a platform that enables software to run in its own isolated environment. SQL Server (from 2017) can be run on Docker in its own isolated container. Once Docker is installed, you simply download — or “pull” — the SQL Server on Linux Docker Image to your Mac, then run it as a Docker container. This container is an isolated environment that contains everything SQL Server needs to run.
Launch Docker
Launch Docker the same way you’d launch any other application (eg, via the Applications folder, the Launchpad, etc).
When you open Docker, you might be prompted for your password so that Docker can install its networking components and links to the Docker apps. Go ahead and provide your password, as Docker needs this to run.
Increase the Memory
By default, Docker will have 2GB of memory allocated to it. SQL Server needs at least 3.25GB. To be safe, increase it to 4GB if you can.
To do this:
- Select Preferences from the little Docker icon in the top menu
- Slide the memory slider up to at least 4GB
- Click Apply & Restart
Download SQL Server
Now that Docker is installed and its memory has been increased, we can download and install SQL Server for Linux.
Open a Terminal window and run the following command.
This downloads the latest SQL Server 2019 for Linux Docker image to your computer.
You can also check for the latest container version on the Docker website if you wish.
Update: When I first wrote this article, I used the following image:
Which downloaded SQL Server 2017. Therefore, the examples below reflect that version.
Launch the Docker Image
Run the following command to launch an instance of the Docker image you just downloaded:
But of course, use your own name and password. Also, if you downloaded a different Docker image, replace
microsoft/mssql-server-linux
with the one you downloaded.Here’s an explanation of the parameters:
-d
This optional parameter launches the Docker container in daemon mode. This means that it runs in the background and doesn’t need its own Terminal window open. You can omit this parameter to have the container run in its own Terminal window. --name sql_server_demo
Another optional parameter. This parameter allows you to name the container. This can be handy when stopping and starting your container from the Terminal. -e 'ACCEPT_EULA=Y'
The Y
shows that you agree with the EULA (End User Licence Agreement). This is required in order to have SQL Server for Linux run on your Mac.-e 'SA_PASSWORD=reallyStrongPwd123'
Required parameter that sets the sa
database password.-p 1433:1433
This maps the local port 1433 to port 1433 on the container. This is the default TCP port that SQL Server uses to listen for connections. microsoft/mssql-server-linux
This tells Docker which image to use. If you downloaded a different one, use it instead. Password Strength
If you get the following error at this step, try again, but with a stronger password.
I received this error when using
reallyStrongPwd
as the password (but of course, it’s not a really strong password!). I was able to overcome this by adding some numbers to the end. However, if it wasn’t just a demo I’d definitely make it stronger than a few dictionary words and numbers.Check the Docker container (optional)
You can type the following command to check that the Docker container is running.
If it’s up and running, it should return something like this:
Install sql-cli (unless already installed)
Run the following command to install the sql-cli command line tool. This tool allows you to run queries and other commands against your SQL Server instance.
This assumes you have NodeJs installed. If you don’t, download it from Nodejs.org first. Installing NodeJs will automatically install npm which is what we use in this command to install sql-cli.
Permissions Error?
If you get an error, and part of it reads something like
Please try running this command again as root/Administrator
, try again, but this time prependsudo
to your command:Connect to SQL Server
Now that sql-cli is installed, we can start working with SQL Server via the Terminal window on our Mac.
Connect to SQL Server using the
mssql
command, followed by the username and password parameters.You should see something like this:
This means you’ve successfully connected to your instance of SQL Server.
Run a Quick Test
Run a quick test to check that SQL Server is up and running and you can query it.
For example, you can run the following command to see which version of SQL Server your running:
If it’s running, you should see something like this (but of course, this will depend on which version you’re running):
If you see a message like this, congratulations — SQL Server is now up and running on your Mac!
A SQL Server GUI for your Mac – Azure Data Studio
Azure Data Studio (formerly SQL Operations Studio) is a free GUI management tool that you can use to manage SQL Server on your Mac. You can use it to create and manage databases, write queries, backup and restore databases, and more.
Azure Data Studio is available on Windows, Mac and Linux.
Download Sql On Mac
Here are some articles/tutorials I’ve written for Azure Data Studio:
Another Free SQL Server GUI – DBeaver
Another SQL Server GUI tool that you can use on your Mac (and Windows/Linux/Solaris) is DBeaver.
DBeaver is a free, open source database management tool that can be used on most database management systems (such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, SQLite, Oracle, DB2, SQL Server, Sybase, Microsoft Access, Teradata, Firebird, Derby, and more).
I wrote a little introduction to DBeaver, or you can go straight to the DBeaver download page and try it out with your new SQL Server installation.
Limitations of SQL Server for Linux/Mac
SQL Server for Linux does have some limitations when compared to the Windows editions (although this could change over time). The Linux release doesn’t include many of the extra services that are available in the Windows release, such as Analysis Services, Reporting Services, etc. Here’s a list of what’s available and what’s not on SQL Server 2017 for Linux and here’s Microsoft’s list of Editions and supported features of SQL Server 2019 on Linux.
Another limitation is that SQL Server Management Studio is not available on Mac or Linux. SSMS a full-blown GUI management for SQL Server, and it provides many more features than Azure Data Studio and DBeaver (at least at the time of writing). You can still use SSMS on a Windows machine to connect to SQL Server on a Linux or Mac machine, but you just can’t install it locally on the Linux or Mac machine.
If you need any of the features not supported in SQL Server for Linux, you’ll need SQL Server for Windows. However, you can still run SQL Server for Windows on your Mac by using virtualization software. Here’s how to install SQL Server for Windows on a Mac using VirtualBox.
- Advertisement
- JTDS - SQL Server and Sybase JDBC driver v.1.0Open source JDBC 3.0 type 4 driver for MicrosoftSQLServer (6.5 up to 2012) and Sybase ASE. jTDS is a complete implementation of the JDBC 3.0 spec and the fastest JDBC driver for MS SQLServer. For more information see http://jtds.sourceforge.net/ ...
- Actual ODBC Driver for SQL Server v.2.6The Actual SQLServer ODBC Driver lets you access your companys MicrosoftSQLServer database from within Microsoft Excel. You can connect to any database you are authorized to use, and work with the data just like your Windows-using co-workers. All ...
- PHP SQL Server (MSSQL) Query Analyzer v.0.43Web based tool written in PHP by Luiz Miguel Axcar to build and run queries on a remote or local MSSQL (MicrosoftSQLServer). Support for SQL code highlight (!!!), table browser, field browser, TOP records, most used tables, CSV results export, ...
- Navicat for SQL Server for Mac OS v.9.1An ideal solution for administration and development which lets you create, edit databases, run SQL queries and connect to remote SQLServer in an easier way. It features an intuitive GUI and offers powerful visual tools such as Query Editor with ...
- MyDBR Web Reporting v.3. 3. 2000myDBR is an innovative web reporting solution for MySQL and MicrosoftSQLServer with support for latest smartphones (Android, iPhone, and Symbian). myDBR reporting solution brings unparalleled speed of authoring even the most complex reports. By ...
- Ranet OLAP v.3.1.741Library of components Ranet.UILibrary.OLAP is intended for creation of full-featured Internet applications (RIA, Rich Internet Application) by business analysts based on platform MicrosoftSQLServer Analysis Services.
- PHP MSSQL Server Admin - Query Analyzer v.0.43Web based tool written in PHP by Luiz Miguel Axcar to build and run queries on a remote or local MSSQL (MicrosoftSQLServer). Support for SQL code highlight (!), table browser, field browser, TOP records, most used tables, CSV results export, etc. ...
- OpenI: OLAP Data Visualization Plugin v.3.0.1OpenI plugin for Pentaho CE provides a simple and clean user interface to visualize data in OLAP cubes. It supports both direct Mondrian and xmla based connections like MicrosoftSQLServer Analysis Services (SSAS), plus provides add-on features like ...
- RazorSQL for Mac v.8.3.6SQL editor, database query tool, database browser, and db admin tool. Visually create, edit, alter, drop, and view objects as well as import and export data. Browse objects with the database browser. Supports over 40 databases.
- DB Solo v.3.0DB Solo is a powerful database development and management tool for developers and DBAs. DB Solo has an intuitive user interface that allows you to explore and manage your database objects as well as execute your own ad-hoc queries. DB Solo supports ...
- SourceAnywhere Standalone v.3.0.1SourceAnywhere Standalone is SQLserver-based version control software with seamless integration with Visual Studio, Eclipse, and other IDEs, cross-platform support, and unique caching mechanism for remote performance. SourceAnywhere Standalone ...
- Virtual Ticket Developer Professional v.2010Develop team productivity & project management apps.
- SQLBoss Developer (Mac OS X) v.1.6SQLBoss Monitor and SQLBoss Developer - The ultimate Database & Content Management Tool for many SQL databases like mySQL, PostgreSQL, FrontBase, OpenBase, ODBC and many more. Included beta drivers: Valentina, dtfSQL and 4D.
- FmPro Migrator v.5.98FmPro Migrator quickly and accurately migrates FileMaker Pro database structure and data to MySQL, Oracle, Access, SQLServer, Sybase, DB2, OpenBase, PostgreSQL, FrontBase, SQLite and Valentina. -- Converts Access Forms/Reports, Relationships, Value ...
- PhotoUpLink for iPhoto for Mac OS v.1.2.6An iPhoto export plugin that allows users to send images and video to any FTP or SFTP server, or any ODBC datasource including MySQL, Oracle or SQLServer. Keywords can be inserted when uploading to any photo sharing site that supports FTP.
- GUDRS Standard for Mac v.5.5.8GUDRS™? protects servers, workstations, and laptops from data loss due to hardware failure, virus attacks, theft, and of course natural disasters. GUDRS™? Professional automatically protects your workstations, laptops, servers, MS Exchange, SQL ...
- GUDRS Pro for Mac v.5.5.8GUDRS™? protects servers, workstations, and laptops from data loss due to hardware failure, virus attacks, theft, and of course natural disasters. GUDRS™? Professional automatically protects your workstations, laptops, servers, MS Exchange, SQL ...
- SQLAPI++ for Mac OS X v.3.8.2.0SQLAPI++ is a library designed to enable you to access multiple SQL databases (Oracle, SQLServer, DB2, Sybase, InterBase, Informix, SQLBase, MySQL, PostgreSQL and ODBC, SQLite). It uses native APIs of target DBMS so applications developed with ...
- RazorSQL (OSX) v.3.6Query, update, navigate, and manage databases. RazorSQL includes an SQL editor, query tool, and built-in database. Visually create, edit, alter, and view tables as well as import and export data. Browse structures with the database navigator.
- Izenda Ad Hoc - Express Edition v.4.0Izenda Ad Hoc - Agile Business Intelligence for ASP.NETLiberate Your Organization's Relational Data Today!Izenda Ad Hoc empowers business users to directly explore relational data from a web browser. * Intuitive and Completely Web-Based AJAX Report ...
Sql Server Mac
Ms Sql Server For Mac
- ByteDesigner ByteDesigner is the emerging enterprise tool for designing
- OpenI: OLAP Data Visualization Plugin OpenI plugin for Pentaho CE provides a simple and clean user
- PHP SQL Server (MSSQL) Query Analyzer Web based tool written in PHP by Luiz Miguel Axcar to build
- IDAutomation MICR E13B Font Advantage The IDAutomation MICR E13B Font Advantage includes high
- Subscription Icon Collection Grafile Icons offers developers and designers to build
- Mass Mailer for Mac Tiger High-performance bulk email program used to send
- TrueType 1D Barcode Font Package The TrueType 1D Barcode Font Package package includes
- SuperPie Free HTML5 Pie Chart Library The SuperPie dynamic HTML5 pie chart library makes it easy
- Navicat for SQL Server for Mac OS An ideal solution for administration and development which
- SourceAnywhere Standalone SourceAnywhere Standalone is SQL server -based version