Microsoft’s New SQL Server Express

(Based on a Beta Version)

SQL Server Express (SSE) is Microsoft’s new database product for use on a single desktop. SSE is a scaled down version of Microsoft’s large-scale client-server database system.

SSE is designed to be a simplified database experience for a single user on a single computer. Although it is scaled to a single computer, SSE uses the same controls and techniques as the large-scale version.

Microsoft is recommending that users switch from Access files (.mdb) to SQL Server files (.mdf) for Visual Studio .NET development.

Problems

If you receive error messages attempting to connect to a SSE file, generally you can solve the problem by restarting the SQL Express server:

• Start
• Control Panel
• If you are using Category View, select Performance and Maintenance
• Administrative Tools
• Services
• Click on SQL Server (SQLEXPRESS)
• Click on Restart
• Try again to access the file in Visual Studio