BIDS, Standard and Enterprise Edition in SQL Server 2008

1. Does SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition (64-bit) support Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS)?

Yes, the BIDS is a shared component available in all editions of “real” SQL Server (not Compact). I’m not 100% sure that it would be included in the Express edition – but definitely in the Standard edition, it’s in there.

You need to select it at the time of installation (first item under “Shared Features):

2. What are the main differences between SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition and Enterprise Edition? Is Standard Edition (64-bit) the same as Enterprise Edition?

NO – Standard edition is NOT the same as Enterprise edition – wouldn’t make sense to have two editions that are the same……

There’s an extensive list on the Microsoft SQL Server site – too long to repeat here.

Update: to find out what edition you’re database engine is, use

SELECT @@VERSION

which returns something like:

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 (SP2) - 10.50.4000.0 (X64) 
Jun 28 2012 08:36:30 
Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation
Developer Edition (64-bit) on Windows NT 6.1 <X64> (Build 7601: Service Pack 1)