What is the difference between using SQL Express .mdf file and an actual SQL Server DB? Why wouldn't I use .mdf file for everything? Is there a size or performance limitation that would prompt me to use SQL Server DB? I currently use actual SQL Server DB's for every project I work on so I am just curious to know if an .mdf file might be more cost-effective.
A:
SQL Server Express has features deliberately removed to make it less useful. For instance, databases are limited to 4 GB in size, and it can only use 1 GB of RAM. I recommend you look into FOSS databases like PostgreSQL and MySQL, which don't limit you like this.
Matthew Flaschen
2009-06-11 23:59:31
+1
A:
SQL Express runs only one scheduler, so can use basically only one processor. It imposes a hard limit of 4GB on database size. It won't use more than 1 GB of RAM. And many features are license restricted, like certain replication scenarios. See here a full comparisson.
Remus Rusanu
2009-06-12 00:01:56