SQL Server Express: overview and features of SQL Server Express
Each of Microsoft SQL Server products released over time comes in several versions and is directed for different user populations. However, what they have in common is that each new release of SQL Server always contains a version named SQL Server Express. In the 2014 version it is a free product that allows users to download and become familiar with the capabilities of the SQL Server. The SQL Server Express versions do not incorporate the full capabilities of the other commercial versions but do content the main features available for that particular release.
The SQL Server Express product has been available since the release of the server 2000. This particular variant of the SQL Server was specifically addressed to embedded and small scale applications acquired the brand ”Express” since its release with the sql server 2005 bundle. The restrictions imposed on the SQL Server Express versions include a maximum size of 10 GB per database. This limit has progressively increased through the product revisions. It was originally 2 GB in the first avatar of the product as released with the MSDE (first version of the SQL Server product). The database size limit increased to 10 GB from SQL Server Express editions of 2008 R2, 2012 and the SQL Server Express 2014. One is not allowed to use more than one CPU for the SQL Server Express edition products. You could use multi-core devices though. Analysis services or SQL Server agent services are not available for the SQL Server Express product variant (some variants of the Express version are available). Some usage limits exist. The SQL Server Express product variant will not be able to access more than 1 GB of RAM, even though the machine physically has more availability. The SQL Server Express variant with advanced services must have 4GB per instance of the reporting services.
The SQL Server Express editions do contain some of the very useful GUI tools. These include the
- Management Studio Express version,
- Configuration and Surface Area Configuration Tools.
- Business Intelligence Development Studio is also made available with SQL Server Express editions to let the user carry out BI related work comfortably.
However some useful services that are excluded (compared to Standard and other higher level editions) from the SQL Server Express editions include Integration Services, Notification Services. Analysis Services also are not included. All of these are included in higher versions as SQL Services Analysis Services (SSAS). This service enhances the capabilities of OLAP and data mining features. These capabilities thus are going to be limited in capability in the SQL Server Express products. Analyzing and spotting the trends that can only be discerned across tables could not be done in the Express edition. Integration, reporting and analysis services are part of this SSAS package. OLAP, data mining, data warehousing and overall business intelligence capabilities will be limited with these products.
Overall, even though SQL Server Express edition has its limitations, it is a great tool to start to get familiar with SQL Server and its features.
At SQL Server Tutorial we are always happy to help with any questions regarding SQL Server Express or any other related topics. Please don’t hesitate to contact us!
Recommended links:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=42299
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SQL_Server_Express
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/server-cloud/products/sql-server-editions/sql-server-express.aspx
SQL Database: overview and six editions of SQL Database 2014
The main product from Microsoft in the RDBMS category has been the SQL Database. The main query language supported is T-SQL which is the ANSI standard SQL extended by MS. MS SQL Server was first created for the PS/2 systems in collaboration with Sybase and Ashton Tate. The first release was in 1989, an updated version was released on average every two years. By the time the SQL Database 2005 version became available, the code base was completely owned by Microsoft and the SQL Database was offered as an independent product. Sybase developed a similar product with a similar sounding name.
Microsoft offers the product in a number of editions, including an Express version that is available for free. It is limited in features but does give you a good feel of what the SQL Database can do. The latest release has been Community Technology Preview which have been made public in April 2016. SQL Server 2016 became generally available on June 1, 2016
The SQL Database 2014 editions have changed over time. The different editions of the SQL Database in any specific release are addressed to different usage scenarios. There are six editions available with the SQL Database 2014. These include an Express edition, Enterprise edition, a Business Intelligence edition, Web edition, Developer edition, and a Standard edition.
- The Express edition provides all the the necessities to get started with SQL Server. It is free and easy to use.
- The Enterprise edition is intended for enterprise level applications. These typically have demanding and mission-critical services from the database and business analysis needs.
- When you have a need for building secure BI applications that are scalable as well as manageable, you need to invest in the Business Intelligence (or BI) edition.
- The Standard edition of the SQL Database is useful for BI and core database functionalities.
The latest SQL Database 2014 has incorporated in-memory that improves performance significantly by letting users’ process complete tables to in-memory. This feature is available in all the editions of the sql database and allows minimizing the time for transporting data back and forth from disc. Even if the applications need to be disk bound, performance is enhanced through the use of extension of SSD buffer pool in the sql database. These solid-state drives can act as a cache between the hard drives and main memory. Full text search capabilities incorporated into the latest editions of the sql database.
- The “Web” edition is meant for SQL Database integrated into web applications, and only available for service providers hosting public websites that use SQL Server.
- The “Developer” version is meant for application development, test and roll out of sql database applications. It has all the capabilities of a full SQL Database.
Please contact us at SQL Server Tutorial if you have any further questions regarding SQL Server or SQL Server 2014 in particular. We are ready to help!
Related sites:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/server-cloud/products/sql-server/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00b3baKf3R0
http://msftdbprodsamples.codeplex.com
What is SQL Server 2014 CTP?
Sometimes I get asked this question, “What is SQL Server CTP edition?”
Many people outside Microsoft think of a CTP as a “beta” release, we think of a CTP as a “Release Candidate” quality release with the ability to change the design and improve the test suite. The CTP version of the product has been released though. CTP versions are Community Technology Preview versions and are released to early adopters to obtain beta level feedback on the product. The CTP version of the SQL Server 2014 has some limitations compared to announced set of features. Noteworthy product features as announced include the following:
- The SQL Server 2014 enhances mission-critical support for the enterprise applications. These cover extended in-memory processing capabilities, including in-memory OLTP, higher performance, increased availability and manageability of the mission-critical applications. Enhancements in query processing helps.
- SQL Server 2014 backup solutions in the cloud are through Microsoft’s Azure service; business continuity solutions in case of disasters are offered.
- Enhancements in scalability and security are available on the SQL Server 2014 version.
- Higher availability is ensured in the product.
- A performance increase of 10 to 50 times of your existing applications can be expected.
- Big data support is built-in and helps get insight into big and small data, including un-structured ones.
- Self service BI tools introduced in 2012 version are enhanced in The SQL Server 2014 for quicker business intelligence gathering.
- A complete BI solution is offered that lets you scale the model and secure it at the same time. You could easily obtain quality and accuracy of your BI truths. Power Query and Power Map features in Excel processing help enhance the BI capabilities in SQL Server 2014.
- The SQL Server 2014 also offers means of implementing a hybrid on-premises and cloud solutions for the most optimal IT solutions.
Limitations of SQL Server CTP version
Some of the limitations indicated for the CTP version of the SQL Server 2014 are listed below.
- The SQL Server 2014 CTP will not be supported by Microsoft’s customer service. Support from the community is all that is available.
- This version is 64 bit only for the time being.
- This SQL Server 2014 CTP is only for evaluation and should not be used in production environment. In fact, it is suggested that the software should be installed in a clean machine.
- SQL Server 2014 CTP will not support upgrade from earlier releases or work side by side with earlier versions, including the latest 2012 version. Visual studio, SQL Server data tools and application framework too will not work with this CTP release.
- SQL Server Management Studio that is shipped with the product should only be used to manage the database system.
- The Azure virtual machine software can be used for development and testing. Performance testing cannot be supported.
Downloading of the product and installation is easy. There is only one downloadable package at the site so simply download and install it. The installation is straightforward too. If you are from the early adopter community, this will give you an opportunity to get a good feel of the SQL Server 2014 early on. By the time the production version comes along, you could be completely ready for moving your production applications to the new platform that is faster, more secure and has higher availability.
SQL 2014 Relevant Links:
What is Community Technology Preview (CTP)
SQL Server 2014 – What are the new features in MS SQL 2014?
Microsoft’s SQL Server 2014 was released to the public on April 1 2014. This version of SQL Server has quite a few new features, the biggest one is by far the In-Memory OLTP engine that makes performance boost by up to 20x times. Get the latest version of SQL Server 2014 here:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/server-cloud/products/sql-server/
Noteworthy product features as announced include the following,
- The MS SQL 2014 enhances mission-critical support for the enterprise applications. These cover extended in-memory processing capabilities, including in-memory OLTP, higher performance, increased availability and manageability of the mission-critical applications. Enhancements in query processing helps.
- SQL Server 2014 backup solutions in the cloud are through Microsoft’s Azure service; business continuity solutions in case of disasters are offered.
- Enhancements in scalability and security are available on the MS SQL Server 2014 version.
- Higher availability is ensured and enhanced in the product.
- Performance increase of 10 to 50 times of your existing applications can be expected.
- Big data support is built-in and helps get insight into big and small data, including un-structured ones.
- Self service BI tools introduced in 2012 version are enhanced in SQL Server 2014 for quicker business intelligence gathering.
- A complete Business Intelligence solution is offered that lets you scale the model and secure it at the same time. You could easily obtain quality and accuracy of your BI truths. Power Query and Power Map features in Excel processing help enhance the BI capabilities in SQL Server 2014.
- The Microsoft SQL Server 2014 also offers means of implementing a hybrid on-premises and cloud solutions for the most optimal IT solutions.
Some of the limitations indicated for the CTP1 version of the SQL Server 2014 are listed below.
- The SQL Server 2014 CTP1 will not be supported by Microsoft’s customer service. Support from the community is all that is available.
- This version is 64 bit only for the time being.
- This SQL Server 2014 CTP1 is only for evaluation and should not be used in production environment. In fact, it is suggested that the software should be installed in a clean machine.
- The MS SQL 2014 CTP1 will not support upgrade from earlier releases or work side by side with earlier versions, including the latest 2012 version. Visual studio, SQL Server data tools and application framework too will not work with this CTP release.
- SQL Server Management Studio that is shipped with the product should only be used to manage the database system.
- The Azure virtual machine software can be used for development and testing. Performance testing cannot be supported.
Downloading of the product and installation is easy. There is only one downloadable package at the site so simply download and install it. The installation is straightforward too. If you are from the early adopter community, this will give you an opportunity to get a good feel of the SQL 2014 version early on. By the time the production version comes along, you could be completely ready for moving your production applications to the new platform that is faster, more secure and has higher availability. If you want to learn more check out our SQL Server 2014 tutorials.
Check out these links as well:
http://www.infoworld.com/article/2606990/database/147960-10-best-new-features-in-SQL-Server-2014.html
http://windowsitpro.com/sql-server-2014/top-ten-new-features-sql-server-2014
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVjyKSCo3vs
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