Take your containerised SQL Server setup to the next level by using Testcontainers for .NET to write robust integration tests. Spin up real SQL Server instances on-demand, run your tests, and tear them down automatically.
This article explores three effective methods for initialising a SQL Server container using Docker Compose: execution of SQL scripts, leveraging mssql-tools, and restoring from a bacpac.
A step-by-step guide to running Microsoft SQL Server in Docker Compose for local development. Covers configuration for both Windows and Mac (including ARM/Rosetta), health checks, persistent volumes, and team-friendly defaults.