SQL Server Express
Encyclopedia
Microsoft SQL Server Express, a freely downloadable and distributable version of Microsoft
's SQL Server
relational database management system
, comprises a database specifically targeted for embedded
and smaller-scale applications.
, it lacks a concurrent workload-governor to "limit performance if the database engine receives more work than is typical of a small number of users." It has a number of technical restrictions (which make it unsuitable for some large-scale deployments) including:
Although its predecessor, MSDE
, generally lacked basic GUI management tools, SQL Server Express includes several GUI tools for database management. These include:
Features available in SQL Server "Standard" and better editions but absent from SQL Server Express include:
In the Free 2005 Express version, for example, a standard approach to installation options was provided (as follows).
Generally the SQL 2005 Express installers are packaged with the following consistent naming convention:
SQLEXPR.EXE: Has installers for BOTH 32-bit & 64-bit processors, but is a basic install
SQLEXPR32.EXE: Has ONLY the installer for 32-bit processors (still the basic install)
SQLEXPR_ADV.EXE: Has the basics AND SQL Server Management Studio Express (SSMSE) + Reporting & Full Text Queries
SQLEXPR_TOOLKIT.EXE: Has the basics and SSMSE and Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS)
These optional variants have gone through several service packs, and each SP installer can be used without using the older ones first:
Whilst the naming and versioning has been very consistent and simple, many reports exist on the web of major installation problems, which in some cases can be traced back to using installers of different names and versions to attempt to install only parts of what they provide. This results in apparent partial installation failures. In general the best approach is to uninstall an older service pack completely and then reinstall all that is needed from the appropriately named file of the latest SP.
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
's SQL Server
Microsoft SQL Server
Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database server, developed by Microsoft: It is a software product whose primary function is to store and retrieve data as requested by other software applications, be it those on the same computer or those running on another computer across a network...
relational database management system
Relational database management system
A relational database management system is a database management system that is based on the relational model as introduced by E. F. Codd. Most popular databases currently in use are based on the relational database model....
, comprises a database specifically targeted for embedded
Embedded system
An embedded system is a computer system designed for specific control functions within a larger system. often with real-time computing constraints. It is embedded as part of a complete device often including hardware and mechanical parts. By contrast, a general-purpose computer, such as a personal...
and smaller-scale applications.
Capabilities
Unlike its predecessor, MSDEMSDE
Microsoft SQL Server Data Engine is a relational database management system developed by Microsoft. It is a scaled-down version of Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 or 2000 which is free for non-commercial use as well as certain limited commercial use...
, it lacks a concurrent workload-governor to "limit performance if the database engine receives more work than is typical of a small number of users." It has a number of technical restrictions (which make it unsuitable for some large-scale deployments) including:
- Maximum database size of 4 GB per database (10 GB for SQL Server Express 2008 R2; compared to 2 GB in the former MSDEMSDEMicrosoft SQL Server Data Engine is a relational database management system developed by Microsoft. It is a scaled-down version of Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 or 2000 which is free for non-commercial use as well as certain limited commercial use...
). The limit applies per database (log files excluded); but in some scenarios users can access more data through the use of multiple interconnected databases. - No SQL Server Agent service
- Hardware-utilization limits:
- Single physical CPU, but multiple cores allowable
- 1 GB of RAM (runs on a system with any RAM amount, but uses only at most 1 GB)
Although its predecessor, MSDE
MSDE
Microsoft SQL Server Data Engine is a relational database management system developed by Microsoft. It is a scaled-down version of Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 or 2000 which is free for non-commercial use as well as certain limited commercial use...
, generally lacked basic GUI management tools, SQL Server Express includes several GUI tools for database management. These include:
- SQL Server Management Studio Express
- SQL Server Configuration Manager
- SQL Server Surface Area Configuration tool
- SQL Server Business Intelligence Development StudioBusiness Intelligence Development StudioBusiness Intelligence Development Studio is the IDE from Microsoft used for developing data analysis and Business Intelligence solutions utilizing the Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services, Reporting Services and Integration Services...
.
Features available in SQL Server "Standard" and better editions but absent from SQL Server Express include:
- Analysis ServicesMicrosoft Analysis ServicesMicrosoft SQL Server Analysis Services is part of Microsoft SQL Server, a database management system. Microsoft has included a number of services in SQL Server related to business intelligence and data warehousing. These services include Integration Services and Analysis Services...
- Integration ServicesSQL Server Integration ServicesSQL Server Integration Services is a component of the Microsoft SQL Server database software that can be used to perform a broad range of data migration tasks....
- Notification ServicesSQL Server Notification ServicesSQL Server Notification Services is a platform developed by Microsoft for the development and deployment of notification applications based on SQL Server Technology and the Microsoft .NET Framework. Notification Services offers a scalable server engine on which to run notification applications,...
Variants
Microsoft makes SQL Server Express available as:- An integrated edition with management tools
- Core database-engine only
- A SQL Server Express with Advanced Services edition (first introduced relatively late in Q2 2006 compared to the original release) with a reduced-functionality version of SQL Server Reporting ServicesSQL Server Reporting ServicesSQL Server Reporting Services is a server-based report generation software system from Microsoft. It can be used to prepare and deliver a variety of interactive and printed reports. It is administered via a web interface...
and with full-text search capabilities
In the Free 2005 Express version, for example, a standard approach to installation options was provided (as follows).
Generally the SQL 2005 Express installers are packaged with the following consistent naming convention:
SQLEXPR.EXE: Has installers for BOTH 32-bit & 64-bit processors, but is a basic install
SQLEXPR32.EXE: Has ONLY the installer for 32-bit processors (still the basic install)
SQLEXPR_ADV.EXE: Has the basics AND SQL Server Management Studio Express (SSMSE) + Reporting & Full Text Queries
SQLEXPR_TOOLKIT.EXE: Has the basics and SSMSE and Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS)
These optional variants have gone through several service packs, and each SP installer can be used without using the older ones first:
- Originals of the above files all carry the version number 9.0.1399.6
- Service Pack 2 (SP2) versions all carry the version number 9.0.3042
- Service Pack 3 (SP3) versions all carry the version number 9.00.4035
- Service Pack 4 (SP4) versions all carry the version number 9.00.5000
Whilst the naming and versioning has been very consistent and simple, many reports exist on the web of major installation problems, which in some cases can be traced back to using installers of different names and versions to attempt to install only parts of what they provide. This results in apparent partial installation failures. In general the best approach is to uninstall an older service pack completely and then reinstall all that is needed from the appropriately named file of the latest SP.
See also
- SQL Server CompactSQL Server CompactMicrosoft SQL Server Compact is a compact relational database produced by Microsoft for applications that run on mobile devices and desktops. Prior to the introduction of the desktop platform, it was known as SQL Server for Windows CE and SQL Server Mobile Edition...
- Microsoft SQL ServerMicrosoft SQL ServerMicrosoft SQL Server is a relational database server, developed by Microsoft: It is a software product whose primary function is to store and retrieve data as requested by other software applications, be it those on the same computer or those running on another computer across a network...
- Windows Server SystemWindows Server SystemMicrosoft Servers is a brand that encompasses a line of Microsoft server products. This includes the server editions of Microsoft Windows operating system itself, as well as products targeted at the wider business market...
- List of relational database management systems
- Comparison of relational database management systemsComparison of relational database management systemsThe following tables compare general and technical information for a number of relational database management systems. Please see the individual products' articles for further information. This article is not all-inclusive or necessarily up to date...