What version of SQL Server to buy?

[Charlie]

I am a single developer, and new to SQL Server. I have Windows XP Pro, and
my system has a couple gigs RAM. I would like to know what version of SQL
Server I should buy. Any advice is appreciated.

[Hugo Kornelis]

On Fri, 3 Aug 2007 18:21:03 -0400, Charlie wrote:

>I am a single developer, and new to SQL Server. I have Windows XP Pro, and
my system has a couple gigs RAM. I would like to know what version of SQL
Server I should buy. Any advice is appreciated.

Hi Charlie,

If you're going to use it for development, buy the developer edition.
This gets you all the features of the enterprise edition, but licensed
only for development work. It'll cost you about $50.

--
Hugo Kornelis, SQL Server MVP
My SQL Server blog: http://sqlblog.com/blogs/hugo_kornelis

[Wes Groleau]

Hugo Kornelis wrote:

On Fri, 3 Aug 2007 18:21:03 -0400, Charlie wrote:

>I am a single developer, and new to SQL Server. I have Windows XP Pro, and
my system has a couple gigs RAM. I would like to know what version of SQL
Server I should buy. Any advice is appreciated.

Hi Charlie,

If you're going to use it for development, buy the developer edition.
This gets you all the features of the enterprise edition, but licensed
only for development work. It'll cost you about $50.

--
Wes Groleau

http://Ideas.Lang-Learn.us/
For lovers of language and learning

[Wes Groleau]

Charlie wrote:

I am a single developer, and new to SQL Server. I have Windows XP Pro, and
my system has a couple gigs RAM. I would like to know what version of SQL
Server I should buy. Any advice is appreciated.

Get the free version and use it until you figure out
which missing features you need. Then upgrade.

--
Wes Groleau

You're all individuals!
Yes, we're all individuals!
You're all different!
Yes, we are all different!
I'm not!

("Life of Brian")

[Charlie]

I have the free version. What advantage is the developer version over the
free version? I am having trouble creating table relationships in the free
version. Any advice?

Charlie

"Wes Groleau" <gr**********@freeshell.orgwrote in message
news:j5%si.178$Aj6.167@trnddc01...

Charlie wrote:

>I am a single developer, and new to SQL Server. I have Windows XP Pro,
and my system has a couple gigs RAM. I would like to know what version of
SQL Server I should buy. Any advice is appreciated.

Get the free version and use it until you figure out
which missing features you need. Then upgrade.

--
Wes Groleau

You're all individuals!
Yes, we're all individuals!
You're all different!
Yes, we are all different!
I'm not!

("Life of Brian")

[Wes Groleau]

Charlie wrote:

I have the free version. What advantage is the developer version over the
free version?

In that case, my advice would be to read the feature comparisons
on Microsoft's website.

--
Wes Groleau

He that is good for making excuses, is seldom good for anything else.
-- Benjamin Franklin

[Bucky]

On Aug 3, 3:21 pm, "Charlie" <[e-mail]:

I am a single developer, and new to SQL Server. I have Windows XP Pro, and
my system has a couple gigs RAM. I would like to know what version of SQL
Server I should buy. Any advice is appreciated.

yeah, developer version is probably the best choice. The enterprise
actually won't install on XP (only Windows Server)

[Charlie]

Interesting that the Microsoft web site doesn't include the developer
version in the comparison.

Charlie

"Wes Groleau" <gr**********@freeshell.orgwrote in message
news:9cati.3799$J13.2715@trnddc02...

Charlie wrote:

>I have the free version. What advantage is the developer version over the
free version?

In that case, my advice would be to read the feature comparisons
on Microsoft's website.

--
Wes Groleau

He that is good for making excuses, is seldom good for anything else.
-- Benjamin Franklin

[Hugo Kornelis]

On Sun, 5 Aug 2007 12:17:04 -0400, Charlie wrote:

>Interesting that the Microsoft web site doesn't include the developer
version in the comparison.

Hi Charlie,

Yeah, I've been bitten by that one as well. Actually, the reason is (or
was, last time I looked) mentioned on one of the comparison pages, but
buried deep in the small print so I can't blame you for not finding it!

The reason that developer edition is not included on the feature
comparison pages, is that developer edition has the exact same features
as the enterprise edition! The only differences are price, license, and
(as Bucky points out) supported operating systems - but those
characteristics are mentioned on other pages, where developer edition is
indeed included!

--
Hugo Kornelis, SQL Server MVP
My SQL Server blog: http://sqlblog.com/blogs/hugo_kornelis

[Hugo Kornelis]

On Sat, 4 Aug 2007 15:30:02 -0400, Charlie wrote:

>I have the free version. What advantage is the developer version over the
free version? I am having trouble creating table relationships in the free
version. Any advice?

Hi Charlie,

WRT relationships, the Express Edtion has the same features as any of
the other editions.

In case you haven't yet done so, you might want to download and install
Management Studio Express, a graphical interface exposing many of SQL
Server Express' features. For some, using a GUI is great. For many other
features, I wouldn't want to touch a GUI with a 10' pole, since writing
straight SQL gives me so much more control.

Using a GUI and then checking the generated SQL *can* be a way to learn
writing SQL, but beware that it's also a great to to learn to write bad
SQL, as some of the stuff that the GUI generates is terrible. You might
be better off buying (or borrowing) and reading a text book to write to
learn SQL.

--
Hugo Kornelis, SQL Server MVP
My SQL Server blog: http://sqlblog.com/blogs/hugo_kornelis

[Charlie]

Thanks. I've been writing SQL in Access for years (for what it's worth). It
may be more of a hindrance than an asset. I have installed Management Studio
Express, and like it so far.

I have two text books so far, but they are for SQL 2000.

Charlie

"Hugo Kornelis" <hu**@perFact.REMOVETHIS.info.INVALIDwrote in message
news:e8********************************@4ax.com...

On Sat, 4 Aug 2007 15:30:02 -0400, Charlie wrote:

>>I have the free version. What advantage is the developer version over the
free version? I am having trouble creating table relationships in the free
version. Any advice?

Hi Charlie,

WRT relationships, the Express Edtion has the same features as any of
the other editions.

In case you haven't yet done so, you might want to download and install
Management Studio Express, a graphical interface exposing many of SQL
Server Express' features. For some, using a GUI is great. For many other
features, I wouldn't want to touch a GUI with a 10' pole, since writing
straight SQL gives me so much more control.

Using a GUI and then checking the generated SQL *can* be a way to learn
writing SQL, but beware that it's also a great to to learn to write bad
SQL, as some of the stuff that the GUI generates is terrible. You might
be better off buying (or borrowing) and reading a text book to write to
learn SQL.

--
Hugo Kornelis, SQL Server MVP
My SQL Server blog: http://sqlblog.com/blogs/hugo_kornelis

[Charlie]

Thanks for the info. I t is appreciated.

Charlie

"Hugo Kornelis" <hu**@perFact.REMOVETHIS.info.INVALIDwrote in message
news:62********************************@4ax.com...

On Sun, 5 Aug 2007 12:17:04 -0400, Charlie wrote:

>>Interesting that the Microsoft web site doesn't include the developer
version in the comparison.

Hi Charlie,

Yeah, I've been bitten by that one as well. Actually, the reason is (or
was, last time I looked) mentioned on one of the comparison pages, but
buried deep in the small print so I can't blame you for not finding it!

The reason that developer edition is not included on the feature
comparison pages, is that developer edition has the exact same features
as the enterprise edition! The only differences are price, license, and
(as Bucky points out) supported operating systems - but those
characteristics are mentioned on other pages, where developer edition is
indeed included!

--
Hugo Kornelis, SQL Server MVP
My SQL Server blog: http://sqlblog.com/blogs/hugo_kornelis

[Charlie]

Thanks. Later this year, I'll probably use a second computer to act as a
server for testing. I'll get it with Windows Server.

Charlie

"Bucky" <uw********@email.comwrote in message
news:11**********************@i13g2000prf.googlegr oups.com...

On Aug 3, 3:21 pm, "Charlie" <[e-mail]:

>I am a single developer, and new to SQL Server. I have Windows XP Pro,
and
my system has a couple gigs RAM. I would like to know what version of SQL
Server I should buy. Any advice is appreciated.

yeah, developer version is probably the best choice. The enterprise
actually won't install on XP (only Windows Server)

[Wes Groleau]

Charlie wrote:

Thanks. I've been writing SQL in Access for years (for what it's worth). It

Jet SQL (Access) and T-SQL (SQL Server) are quite different.

Caused me a lot of frustration learning Access when I couldn't
do what the SQL books said. Then more frustration trying to
unlearn the "wrong" way in switching to Server.

--
Wes Groleau

Always listen to experts. They'll tell you
what can't be done and why. Then do it.
-- Robert A. Heinlein

[Hugo Kornelis]

On Sun, 5 Aug 2007 19:10:23 -0400, Charlie wrote:

>I have two text books so far, but they are for SQL 2000.

Hi Charlie,

AFAIK, everything that worked in SQL 2000 and was not deprecated will
also work in SQL 2005. And I expect (hope?) that no serious book will
describe deprecated features, at least not without due warning.

I'd recommend finishing those books first before spending money on new
books.

--
Hugo Kornelis, SQL Server MVP
My SQL Server blog: http://sqlblog.com/blogs/hugo_kornelis