Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Developer enables developers to build and test applications that run on SQL Server on 32-bit, ia64, and x64 platforms. SQL Server 2008 Developer includes all of the functionality of Enterprise Edition, but is licensed only for development, test, and demo use. The license for SQL Server 2008 Developer entitles one developer to use the software on as many systems as necessary. For rapid deployment into production, instances of SQL Server 2008 Developer can easily be upgraded to SQL Server 2008 Enterprise without reinstallation.

Trusted, Scalable Platform
Supporting data consistency across heterogeneous systems through SQL Server Master Data Services, enabling high-scale complex event-stream processing through SQL Server StreamInsight?, and supporting scale-up scenarios for the largest available x64 and Itanium hardware (up to 256 logical processors).
IT & Developer Efficiency
Enabling administrators to centrally monitor and manage multiple database applications, instances or servers, accelerating the development and deployment of applications and providing improved support for virtualization through Hyper-V with Live Migration in Windows Server 2008 R2.
Managed Self-Service BI
Expanding powerful BI tools to all users with SQL Server PowerPivot for Excel and empowering a new class of business users to build and share powerful BI solutions with little or no IT support, while still enabling IT to monitor and manage user-generated BI solutions.