Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Express Edition

Easy to get. Free to use.

SQL Server Express is a free edition of SQL Server ideal for developing and powering desktop, web and small server applications. Download SQL Server 2008 R2 Express or try SQL Server 2012 Express RC0, which includes SQL Server Express LocalDB, a new lightweight deployment option for Express.

Top Express Features

• Same database engine as other versions of SQL Server.
• Supports 10 GB of storage per database.
• Backup and restore with ease.
• Compatible with all editions of SQL Server and SQL Azure.
• Designed to work with Visual Studio and ASP.NET.
• Available with a graphical management tool.
• Offers reporting capabilities, full-text search, and spatial support. 

• Download 2008 R2 Express
• Download 2012 RC0 Express
• http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=1695

Faster development

Take advantage of existing Transact-SQL skills, and incorporate technologies, including the Microsoft ADO.NET Entity Framework and LINQ. Develop applications faster through deep integration with Visual Studio 2008, Visual Web Developer 2008, and SQL Server Management Studio.

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Development acceleration

Model data by using the ADO.NET Entity Framework to hide database schema details and access data by using entities that closely resemble business logic. Take advantage of support for LINQ, including LINQ to SQL and LINQ to Entities, which allows data to be retrieved from entities natively from any Microsoft .NET language.

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Improved developer productivity

Increase developer productivity and simplify deployment through integration with Visual Studio 2008 and Visual Web Developer. Take advantage of advanced capabilities, including rich table and query designers, full integration with Server Explorer, and drag-and-drop IDE support, for rapidly building data-bound applications. Access data with PHP by using the SQL Server driver for PHP.

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Easy design process

Manage SQL Server 2008 R2 Express databases with SQL Server Management Studio Express. Connect to local SQL Server 2008 R2 Express databases and manage objects with full Object Explorer integration. Write, execute, and test queries by using visual query plans that provide hints to tune queries and access management and maintenance options.

Robust applications

Create applications by using advanced features while centralizing business logic and increasing application performance with stored procedures, CLR integration, triggers, and views. Dynamically respond to data changes by using query notification, and extend data to remote locations with Service Broker and Replication.

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Management of any data type

Take advantage of data, including support for structured and unstructured data while storing business data with native support for relational data, XML, and spatial data. Store and validate XML data and use XQuery to retrieve data. Increase granularity of temporal data with data types such as date and time.

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Data mapping

Add geographical information to business applications and build location-aware applications.

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Relevant information delivery

Visualize data by using Reporting Services and create readable reports that answer complex user questions. Enable users to share reports by using Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.

Anywhere data access

Create occasionally connected applications that function even when disconnected from the network. Develop desktop applications that automatically synchronize with central databases.

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Simple remote management

Manage data infrastructures with policy-based management and apply policies to all instances. Reduce maintenance time by defining common policies for operations, such as query optimizations, naming conventions, backup, restore, and index management. Apply policies to multiple servers for consistent management across the enterprise.

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Corporate data synchronization

Keep data synchronized with subscriber support for SQL Server transactional and merge replication. Take advantage of advanced conflict resolution capabilities to build robust business solutions, and synchronize data automatically with support for change tracking and the Microsoft Sync Framework.

Now in SQL Server 2012 RC0: SQL Server Express LocalDB

LocalDB is a new lightweight deployment option for SQL Server Express Edition with fewer prerequisites that installs very quickly. This makes it ideal for developers who need an embedded SQL Server database for desktop applications or tools. LocalDB has all of the same programmability features as SQL Express, but runs in user mode with applications and not as a service. It is available as part of the SQL Server 2012 RC0 download.

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Integrated

LocalDB is designed to be bundled with and function as an integrated part of tools or desktop applications that need a lightweight local database runtime. This includes tools like SSDT, or custom developed desktop applications, or tools that need a lightweight single-user database runtime that supports full Transact-SQL functionality.

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Simple

Apps that use LocalDB simply open a file. Once a file is opened, you get SQL Server functionality when working with that file, including things like ACID transaction support. The app that opens the file has exclusive use. It’s not intended for multi-user scenarios or to be used as a server. (If you need that, you should install SQL Server Express.)

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Easy acquisition

LocalDB is easy to download, install, and manage. It installs as a small shared component instead of a service. To try, simply click the download box on this page for SQL Server 2012 RC0.

LocalDB (MSI installer)

New to the Express family, LocalDB is a lightweight version of Express that has all its programmability features, yet runs in user mode and has a fast, zero-configuration installation and short list of pre-requisites. Use this if you need a simple way to create and work with databases from code. It can be bundled with Visual Studio, other Database Development tools or embedded with an application that needs local databases.

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Express (containing only the database engine)

The core Express database server. Use this if you need to accept remote connections or administer remotely.

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Express with Tools (with LocalDB, includes the database engine and SQL Server Management Studio Express)

This package contains everything needed to install and configure SQL Server as a database server. Choose either LocalDB or Express depending on your needs above.

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SQL Server Management Studio Express (Tools only)

This does not contain the database, but only the tools to manage SQL Server instances, including LocalDB, SQL Express, SQL Azure, etc. Use this if you already have the database and only need the management tools.

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Express with Advanced Services (contains the database engine, Express Tools, Reporting Services, and Full Text Search)

This package contains all the components of SQL Express. This is a larger download than “with Tools,” as it also includes both Full Text Search and Reporting Services.

Robust applications

Create applications by using advanced features while centralizing business logic and increasing application performance with stored procedures, CLR integration, triggers, and views. Dynamically respond to data changes by using query notification, and extend data to remote locations with Service Broker and Replication.

---

Management of any data type

Take advantage of data, including support for structured and unstructured data while storing business data with native support for relational data, XML, and spatial data. Store and validate XML data and use XQuery to retrieve data. Increase granularity of temporal data with data types such as date and time.

---

Data mapping

Add geographical information to business applications and build location-aware applications.

---

Relevant information delivery

Visualize data by using Reporting Services and create readable reports that answer complex user questions. Enable users to share reports by using Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.

Anywhere data access

Create occasionally connected applications that function even when disconnected from the network. Develop desktop applications that automatically synchronize with central databases.

---

Simple remote management

Manage data infrastructures with policy-based management and apply policies to all instances. Reduce maintenance time by defining common policies for operations, such as query optimizations, naming conventions, backup, restore, and index management. Apply policies to multiple servers for consistent management across the enterprise.

---

Corporate data synchronization

Keep data synchronized with subscriber support for SQL Server transactional and merge replication. Take advantage of advanced conflict resolution capabilities to build robust business solutions, and synchronize data automatically with support for change tracking and the Microsoft Sync Framework.

System requirements

Supported Operating Systems: Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2, Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista, Windows Vista Service Pack 1, Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows XP Service Pack 3

• 32-Bit Systems: Computer with Intel or compatible 1GHz or faster processor (2 GHz or faster is recommended. Only a single processor is supported)
• 64-Bit Systems: 1.4 GHz or higher processor (2 GHz or faster is recommended. Only a single processor is supported)
• Minimum of 256 MB of RAM (1 GB or more is recommended)
• 1 GB of free hard disk space

Instructions

Note: You must have administrative rights on the computer to install SQL Server 2008 Express.

We recommend that you read the Release Notes and Readme before installing SQL Server 2008 Express.

Step 1: Download and install Microsoft .Net Framework 3.5 SP1.

Step 2: Download and install Windows Installer 4.5.

Step 3: Download SQL Server 2008 Express by clicking the appropriate link later on this page. To start the installation immediately, click Run. To install SQL Server Express at a later time, click Save.

Note: Note: SQL Server 2008 Express includes both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. SQLEXPR32_x86 is a smaller package that can be used to install SQL Server 2008 Express onto only 32-bit operating systems. SQLEXPR_x86 is the same product but supports installation onto both 32-bit and 64-bit (WoW) operating systems. SQLEXPR_x64 is a native 64-bit SQL Server 2008 Express and supports installation onto only 64-bit operating systems. There is no other difference between these packages.

Hanya sharing saja, bagus juga untuk digunakan karena kapasitasnya sudah semakin besar dari 4 GB sekarang menjadi 10 GB per databasenya, buat temen temen daripada pakai yang ilegal coba mulai pakai yang versi ini, lumayan lama juga untuk mencapai 10 GB.

Saya pakai untuk perusahaan Retail dengan transaksi minimal 2500 per hari untuk program yang didalamnya ada transaksi Penjualan, Keuangan dan Accounting kemudian Gudang dan Ekspedisi sehingga setelah di ujicoba ternyata untuk 1 tahun perlu 2 GB , jadi kalau pakai versi ini setidaknya bisa 5 tahun, tapi saya setiap 3 tahun sekali juga di potong databasenya biar selalu ringan, jadi pakai versi ini sudah sangat cukup. Saya mencobanya tidak pakai Store Prosedure atau Trigger, untuk transaksi saya full pakai program. Seperti yang saya bilang, ini hanya sharing dan bukan promosi, saya yakin teman teman juga punya database sendiri yang sudah biasa digunakan, ini hanya info saja barangkali ada yang belum tahu.