Running SQL Server Developer in a Windows-based Docker Container

Bob Walker discusses the process of running SQL Server on a development machine using Docker containers, highlighting the advantages over traditional installation methods such as reduced resource usage and simplified upgrades. He explains the steps required to set up SQL Server in a Docker container on a Windows system, emphasizing the importance of enabling CPU virtualization, configuring anti-virus settings, and using Docker volumes to persist data. Walker provides detailed instructions for pulling the SQL Server image, setting up the container, and connecting to it via SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS). He also covers the challenges of persisting databases across container restarts and recreations, suggesting the use of Docker volumes and the attach_dbs environment variable for bootstrapping databases. To streamline the process, he recommends using Docker Compose for easier configuration management. Walker concludes by expressing his surprise at the simplicity of the setup process and encourages developers to consider Docker for hosting SQL Server in development environments.