Comparing SQL Server Express with MSDE
[This topic is pre-release documentation and is subject to change in future releases. Blank topics are included as placeholders.]
If you are updating your applications to use Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Express Edition (SQL Server Express), you must consider the changes in feature support from MSDE to SQL Server Express.
SQL Server Express and MSDE Limitations
The following table lists the limits that have been set for MSDE and SQL Server Express databases.
| Limitation | MSDE Limit | SQL Server Express Limit |
|---|---|---|
Concurrent workload governor (throttle) |
Yes |
No |
Database size limitation |
2 GB |
4 GB |
RAM support |
2 GB |
1 GB |
SMP support |
2 (or 1 if MSDE is run on Windows 98 or Windows Millennium Edition) |
1 |
Note
In MSDE, the Workload Governor (also known as the throttle) caused performance limitations as the number of concurrent users increased. SQL Server Express does not have a Workload Governor.
MSDE and SQL Server Express Feature Support
The following table lists the changes in feature support between the products.
| Feature Area | Supported in MSDE? | Supported in SQL Server Express? |
|---|---|---|
Merge Replication |
Yes |
Yes, as a Subscriber only |
Transactional Replication |
Yes, as a Subscriber only |
Yes, as a Subscriber only |
Snapshot Replication |
Yes |
Yes, as a Subscriber only |
SQL Server Profiler |
No |
Yes only if another edition of SQL Server is installed on the same computer as SQL Server Express. Note SQL Server Profiler is not installed with SQL Server Express. |
Database Engine Tuning Wizard |
No |
No |
SQL Server Agent |
Yes |
No |
Active Directory registration |
No |
Yes |
For more information about MSDE and SQL Server Express, see Upgrading MSDE to SQL Server Express at MSDN library.
See Also
Other Resources
Features Supported by the Editions of SQL Server
Replication Components