Visual Studio is quite happy with SQL 2012 / 2014 and with Azure.
Your choice of IaaS or PaaS is likely to be influenced by your current infrastructure and plans. If you are starting up, then PaaS gives you less work to do than IaaS. If you have a lot already set up, then IaaS may be easier to integrate into your current working practices.
Original author: https://github.com/SQL-FineBuild/Common/wiki/ 1-click install and best practice configuration of SQL Server 2019, 2017 2016, 2014, 2012, 2008 R2, 2008 and 2005.
When I give food to the poor they call me a saint. When I ask why they are poor they call me a communist - Archbishop Hélder Câmara