MS-SQL Express

[schueymcfee]

Anybody used it or replaced Access with it?

Basically I have to rebuild an ASP site that is using Access (don't ask) running on an MS server.

I've been looking at MS-SQL Express as I don't think the outlay for full on MS-SQL is justified for simple adding, updating, deleting records etc.

Is it more reliable than Access in terms of number of connections etc.

Or does anybody have any other ideas?

Thanks

[pdV6]

I think MS specifically dictate that SQL-Express is not licenced for use on web servers.
Don't think there's any technical reasons not to; just MS wanting their lb or flesh.

IIRC you need to buy a processor licence at not inconsiderable expense to be legit.

How about MySQL?

[schueymcfee]

Does it run on MS servers?

I was under the impression it was Linux only.

If it does then that'd be a better way to go.

[Don]

pdV6 said:

I think MS specifically dictate that SQL-Express is not licenced for use on web servers. Don't think there's any technical reasons not to; just MS wanting their lb or flesh.

Whhhaaaaaaat!!???

I'll have to check that. We ship MSDE as a part of our application...whilst advising clients to get SQL Server 2000 proper if they want lots of users. We will want to be able to do the same with SQLExpress...

[schueymcfee]

Ah, just checked. MySQL will go on an MS Server, so the problem is getting an ASP script to connect to it.

[Don]

The thing about SQL Server Express not being distributable onto a web server is scuttlebutt. Not true.

SQL Server Express is, essentially, a fully featured version of SQL Server. Data, Stored Procedure language, the lot. Its a good database. You may even find an "Upsizing Wizard" to help transfer data and data structures into it from Access (there was for 2000).

If you are running an app on the windows platform and won't have *that* many users its the logical choice: Free, well supported by Microsoft and works great with ASP/ASP.NET.

MySQL I have heard a lot of good things about - but never used.

[pdV6]

We keep getting told that Processor licencing is the only way to legally do it, but this site suggests otherwise.

Its a bit of a minefield. I have had trouble finding a definitive answer online, but do have an email from MS stating that web applications would require a processor licence as a minimum for running against SQL2005.


>> Edited by pdV6 on Monday 27th March 14:48

[pdV6]

Don said:

The thing about SQL Server Express not being distributable onto a web server is scuttlebutt. Not true.

Depends what you're doing with it I think.

Don said:

SQL Server Express is, essentially, a fully featured version of SQL Server. Data, Stored Procedure language, the lot. Its a good database.

True. There are no limits to the number of users, instead there are a few performance bottlenecks, i.e. 1 CPU only, Max 1Gb memory use, max 4Gb database size. Perfect for a smaller installation.

[jamieboy]

schueymcfee said:

Ah, just checked. MySQL will go on an MS Server, so the problem is getting an ASP script to connect to it.

I've had no problems getting it to connect although it's a while since I tried, but I'm not entirely clear how free MySQL is. This page www.mysql.com/company/legal/licensing/ makes it sound like your end product has to be open source, otherwise you have to buy a licence.

MySQL website said:

For OEMs, ISVs, and VARs who distribute MySQL with their products, and do not license and distribute their source code under the GPL, MySQL provides a flexible OEM Commercial License.

My reading of this, and I'd be happy for someone to correct me, is that if you charge for a piece of software that uses MySQL, then you have to pay for a MySQL license.

[schueymcfee]

Nope, am not charging for software, just want a more reliable storage space for a website to take order details etc.