Differences between Express editions

Question

I was wandering what are the main differences between sql server express editions

Sql Server 2005 Express Edition

Sql Server 2008 Express Edition

Sql Server 2008 r2 Express Edition

Sql Server 20012 Express Edition

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Luis Forero

Answer 1

Hi Luis,

SQL Server 2012 is the most recent one (it is actually in RTM). For a quick overview about them have a look at the appropriate Wikipedia article - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_SQL_Server

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Answer 2

the express editions do have the same differences as the regular editions related to the database engine.

In addition the SQL Server Express Edition had different limits depending on the version number.

I would recommand to read the features of the SQL Server Express Editions here:

http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/en/us/editions/express.aspx.

If you've the option - and it seems so as you can select the version - you should use either SQL Server 2008R2 Express Edition or SQL Server 2012 Express Edition as lower version number edition have reached it product life cycle and therefore there'll be no longer any free support except some security patches for a few years.

On April 12, 2011, SQL Server 2005 will transition from Mainstream Support to Extended Support, which includes:

• Paid support (charged on an hourly basis per incident). Customers will no longer receive no-charge incident support and warranty claims, and won’t be able to request design changes or features.
• Security update support at no additional cost.
• Non-security related hotfix support will require a separate Extended Hotfix Support Agreement to be purchased within 90 days of the end of Mainstream Support – July 11th, 2011.

http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/en/us/support/support-updates.aspx

Answer 3

If you are making a brand new database that does not have to host legacy anything, go for 2012 or 2008r2 (which should have been called 2010) if you are wary of leftover bugs in 2012.  The later editions allow you to do more and the database engines are richer.  No express edition is fit for production use by anything except small applications because Express only supports 10GB of data, 1GB of RAM, and 1 processor using up to four cores per each computer.

Answer 4

Hi,

has your question been answered? If so, please mark the appropriate post as answer so other community members with a similar question can find help faster.

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Answer 5

That URL that you recommend talk about Sql Server 2012 express, by the way its agreat page<o:p></o:p>

But I would like to see what the main differences between all express editions are.<o:p></o:p>

For example: It is the same to use Sql Server 2008 r2 express edition than Sql Server 2012 express edition?

Thnks!!<o:p></o:p>

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Luis Forero

Answer 6

you can use the following page to get the features difference of SQL Server editions and by comparing against older version you get the info you're looking for:

Features Supported by the Editions of SQL Server 2012

if you need the difference for an older version - eg. 2008 - just select the version your interesting in the pull down list "Other Versions"

Answer 7

Thanks!

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Luis Forero