SQL Server Express

[BlackWasp]

This one got mentioned in a previous thread, but will Catalyst2 be supporting SQL Server 2005 Express - the freebie version - to give a bit more scalability than Access?

It was mentioned that the MSDE license didn't allow for it but I haven't seen any information anywhere that states the same for SQL Server Express. I have seen loads of stuff referring to using SQL Express with web sites though. (eg Microsoft's Overview)

[paulredpath]

We most likely wont I am afraid.

[WhiskyFudge]

Originally Posted by BlackWasp

It was mentioned that the MSDE license didn't allow for it but I haven't seen any information anywhere that states the same for SQL Server Express. I have seen loads of stuff referring to using SQL Express with web sites though. (eg Microsoft's Overview)

Microsoft taking that way of pushing their product has annoyed me as in many cases you just can't use SQL Express on websites due to the licencing, you would have to host the SQL Express database your self. Either that or offer it for free. You've then got the issue of it's not suitable for sizeable sites, or suitable for a host like Cat2 using it where your likly to have multiple users from different sites connecting to it at once.

[BlackWasp]

I think I will have a word with our Microsoft account manager next time I see him. I can't see a technical problem, only a potential licensing one. And, of course, that it would probably not be a commercially viable proposition for Cat2.

Interestingly, although the licensing agreement for MSDE appears to say no, hosting agreements with Microsoft do appear to allow it and there are many sites out there running on MSDE. Similarly, using Windows SharePoint Services it seems that you can provide web sites built on WSS that use either MSDE or WMSDE as their back-end.

Don't take my word for it though - I don't want to be sued if I am wrong!