Move from SQL Server CE to SQL Server Express - sql

I just wrote a large program using SQL Server Express and was very happy, the difficulty is that it is difficult for customers to install SQL Server to test the program out.
I looked into SQL Server CE and it looks great for smaller clients and trial software. However SQL Server CE uses System.Data.SqlCeServer and not System.Data.SqlClient
Is there a way to make an application that uses SQL Server CE and then if desired the client can upgrade to SQL Server Express?

No, they're different platforms. CE is for the Compact Edition, so it's intended to be used on sometimes disconnected devices with limited resources compared to a SQL Server. CE should have a subset of Express' functions.

Related

SQL Server - Client Version

I am new to SQL Server and trying to familiarize myself with it, so I have some questions.
My background is Oracle and am wondering if it works very similar to SQL Server.
On a client machine we need to install a client version of Oracle, and with the installation it comes with a TNSNames.ORA file which has settings for all of the Oracle DB's which are located on an Oracle DB server.
I would assume that SQL server would follow something similar, install a client version of SQL server? If so, does SQL Server has something similar to local Oracle?
I've found how connect to SQL server from another computer, just wondering if I still would need a slim down/client version of SQL Server, I would assume yes.
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms345343(v=sql.110).aspx
Some of you might be asking, why don't you try it, don't have my second computer yet, would like this info. ahead of time.
Thank you
SQL Server client APIs include the low-level components needed to connect to and use SQL Server so there is generally no need to install other connectivity components. To name a few Microsoft ones:
ODBC: Latest version is ODBC Driver 13.1 for SQL Server
OLE DB: Latest is SQL Server 2012 Native Client
.Net Provider for SQL Server (SqlClient): included .NET framework
JDBC: Latest Microsoft version is 6.2
There are also a number of other open source and commercial APIs available for use in various programming languages and development frameworks (e.g. Tedious for Node.js).

Working with a sql database on SQL Server 2012 and work with the same database on SQL Server Express 2012 is the same?

I have this question about the SQL Server and SQL Server Express.
In my client machine, the database that he's using is SQL Server 2012 and in my machine i have SQL Server 2005.. so i want to install another instance and a friend told me that i dont need to install the SQL Server 2012 Standard (the one that they have) and with the SQL Server 2012 Express will work.. is that ok?
I really don't know the real difference in working with SQL Server Express 2012 and SQL Server Standard 2012 (with the same database).
On of the major differences is that with express you not be able to back ups over the network. Local backups only. When I do back ups from the SqlExpress Server Manager Studio it doesn't recognize mounted drives. Check out this for a more formal approach to your question
[http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc645993.aspx][1]
Check through this document:
Features supported by the editions of SQL Server 2012
You will soon be able to see if there are any features that you are using in standard that are not available in express.

Can I develop in SQL Server Express for later deployment in a full SQL Server?

Very new to SQL Server. I am needing to develop a SQL Server database to run with an iPhone app I am developing. It will ultimately be running with our full-fledged SQL Server database, which is administered by our IT guy, but I'd like to have a local database for testing.
Two questions:
I assume I can use SQL Server Express 2012 for this purpose, since it is advertised as such; but would it be better/easier to use what appears to be the simplest form, LocalDB, in conjunction with VB2010? It will be running on my office PC to which a port is open for TCP communication from my app (which is working fine). Would LocalDB work for that, if the communication occurs in the VB app? Or will I need to get the SQL Server Express edition?
If a prototype database is developed in SQL Server Express, can it migrate to our full-fledged SQL Server when the app is taken "live"? (I am not sure right now what version our full-fledged SQL Server is, but I was planning on using SQL Server Express 2012.)
Yes, the Express editions ARE the full-fledged SQL Server version - no code difference, only some marketing-driven restrictions (on database size and so forth).
You can absolutely develop your system on a SQL Server Express, and then just detach your database from Express and re-attach it to a Standard or Enterprise edition server. No fuss, no migration, no conversion - nothing - it just works. Period.
And I would probably even argue having a server installation (of your Express) edition is the better choice than LocalDB. That way, you're already using the server-based approach as you will later on in production, and you won't fall into any "convenience" traps offered by LocalDB (or other approaches) that make dev life easier - but rollout to production can be a challenge. When you use SQL Server Express as a server-based installation from the get to - you have the "real deal" from day one.

Licensing with 2 SQL Server databases

1) If I have a mobile application database written in SQL Server which has SQL Server CE databases on PDAs synchronising with it, can I get away with no licensing cost if I use the SQL Server Express Edition?
2) SQL Server <> SQL Server (Mobile Application Database) <> SQL CE
If we then complicate the model as the mobile application main SQL Server database has a service runninhg which then synchronises via .NET and web services to another database that is SQL Server based, does this cause problems with licensing, e.g. in the area of multiplexing because we know our ultimate end PDA users?
3) Oracle <> SQL Server (Mobile Application Database) <> SQL CE
How would licensing be affected if the backend system is changed to Oracle.
Thanks.
SQL Express Edition is free to use - it's got it's limitations but if your app can work inside it's constraints then it's fine to use.
You're not clear on point 2 but if all of those SQL installations are Express or CE/Compact then that's fine as well.
You license costs would come in if you put a Standard/Enterprise edition SQL Server in the mix at which point you either need to look at CAL licensing or get Proc license(s).
If SQL Express will meet your needs then there shouldn't be any licensing issues.
If you use a version of SQL that requires licensing you have to get CAL's for your known users, or go the per-CPU licensing route which doesn't require CAL's.

Will SQL Server Express work with a database made in regular SQL Server?

I was wondering if we could backup the database that we currently host on regular SQL Server, and put it onto our clients computer when we setup SQL Server Express for them.
Is this possible?
Thanks,
Matt
Yes, it's possible to restore a database backup from the Standard edition to the Express edition. It's not possible to restore a SQL Server 2008 to a SQL Server 2005 version, though.
However, there a some minor differences between versions. I've noticed an issue in SQL Server Express 2005 when calling .NET SQL CLR functions across databases, so your mileage may vary. I haven't been able to find a good overview of the exact differences between the various SQL Server editions.
It's always best to keep the development platform as close as possible to the release platform. I can only recommend that you use the Express edition of SQL Server for development as well; and re-test your application.