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"Downsizing" to MSDE ... or something like that ...

  • March 4, 2005 at 1:50 am

    #545401

    Kyle,

    The obvious solution is to use MSDE - this is the same core database engine as SQL Server but with a few restrictions (database size, number of users). As long as your db is less than 2Gb (the max under MSDE) and no more than a dozen or so concurrent users (workload govenor kicks in a 8 concurrent 'operations') then you should be okay.

    However MSDE does not include the client tools (eg Enterprose Manager) so you need to include functions such as Database Backup and Restore in your application (eg using SQL DMO to run these processes).

    Migrating to another dbengine, eg Access's JET, is a non-starter unless you are prepared to redesign your application - for example JET does not have support for Stored Procedures or Triggers.

    MSDE will be replaced by SQL Server Express 2005 - this may be better for your purposes (has a cut down version of Enterprise Manager) you could use this but it will depend on timing - you cannot (well we certainly would not) sell a production system using beta software.

    Another issue is quality - if selling an aplication you need to have very high quality standards with everything to Best Practice or you will have lots of support issues. eg make sure you have Error Logging, Version Control, properly normalised db design, check performance is okay, look into security issues, auditing, etc. ALso look at how you will deliver updates (for example we ended up developing our own equivalent of Microsoft's Automatic Updates because this area can cause a lot of grief).

    HTH

    David Saville

    Aldex Software Ltd.

    http://www.aldex.co.uk

     

  • March 4, 2005 at 3:46 am

    #545420

    Excellent resonse from David.

    I think that if you meet the requirements for MSDE then it may be an excellent choice. But if you install MSDE remember that you should at least change the TCP port and that customers will need to apply SP's. I know a lot of people got hit by slammer who never knew that they had SQL installed via MSDE.

  • March 8, 2005 at 8:49 am

    #545887

    David and athurgar,

    Thank you very much for the quick replies. I was thinking MSDE would be the best bet. I hear that SQL Server Express doesn't connect to an Access database?

    At any rate, your comments will steer us in the right direction.

    Thanks again,

    Kyle.

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