At first glance, it might seem difficult to differentiate among all the entry-level database products that are popping up. Your best choice will depend on the features you need most.
PLUS--Learn the top keyboard shortcuts in SSMSE and check out 17 how-to articles that will help you get SQL Server Express installed and running!
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======= Contents ======================
December 4, 2006
Commentary
Contenders for the Express Database Crown
Features
Jump Start: Top Keyboard Shortcuts in SQL Server Management Studio Express Check It Out: SQL Server 2005 Express How-Tos
Resources and Events
Transfer Oracle Skills to SQL Server Are you who you say you are? Really? Even on Linux? Lower Costs, Simplify Management, and Increase SQL Server Availability Safeguard Your System Automate Upgrades to SQL Server 2005
Featured White Paper
Starter PKI Program: Save Time and Reduce Costs
Speed Database Development and Improve Code Quality
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1. === Commentary ======================================
Contenders for the Express Database Crown
by Michael Otey, mikeo@windowsitpro.com
Competition in the Express database market is at an all-time high. Following Microsoft's lead with SQL Server 2005 Express Edition, Oracle and IBM have both released Express versions of their enterprise-oriented databases. Oracle’s lightweight database is called Oracle 10g Express Edition (Oracle Database XE), and IBM's offering is called DB2 Express-C. In addition to the entry of these two giants into the lightweight-database arena, the venerable open-source MySQL database is also a formidable contender for entry-level databases. You can choose between two MySQL products: MySQL Community Server, which is the free open-source product, and MySQL Enterprise, which is a "for sale" product. At first glance, it might seem difficult to tell these products apart because they have many features in common. Your best choice will depend on the features that differentiate them, your target platform, and the tools you use to develop your applications.
All of the entry-level databases I’ve mentioned are essentially free, and they all provide the same type of relational-database services. They are also similar in the level of scalability that they offer. The supported OS, memory, and storage capacity are the first places you’ll see differences. SQL Server Express runs only on the Windows OS and it supports one CPU, 1GB of RAM, and multiple 4GB databases. Oracle Database XE runs on Windows and Linux OSs, and it supports 1 CPU, 1GB of RAM, and an overall total of 4GB of user data (but not multiple 4GB databases). DB2 Express-C also runs on Windows and Linux, and it provides a bit more scalability because it can run on systems that have up to 2 CPUs, supports 4GB of RAM, and has no database storage size restrictions. MySQL Community Server runs on Windows and Linux, and it doesn’t have any limit on RAM or storage.
Each of these products has its strengths. SQL Server Express provides high levels of performance and deep CLR and XML integration. If, like most developers, you're using Microsoft .NET technologies and you're developing for the Windows platform that makes up the bulk of the desktop market, SQL Server Express a great choice because its integration with the Visual Studio 2005 development product is unequaled. The SQL Server Express Advanced Edition also includes the SQL Server Management Studio Express (SSMSE) management GUI and support for Reporting Services, a component that has no equivalent in the other lightweight database products. For Oracle, there's a bundled set of Web-application development tools. DB2 Express-C offers greater scalability than the other lightweight databases on the market, a built-in management GUI, and XML integration. MySQL Community Server is a small-footprint, high-performance database.
The bottom line is that all of these products are capable, and the best choice typically depends on multiple factors. Naturally, if you're looking for Linux support, SQL Server Express isn’t your choice. MySQL is the usual database of choice for Linux applications because it’s an open-source product. But if you’re developing applications and supporting users in a Windows environment, SQL Server Express offers powerful reporting capabilities and unparalleled integration with the Visual Studio development environment.
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2. ==== Features =======================
Jump Start: Top Keyboard Shortcuts in SQL Server Management Studio Express
by Michael Otey, mikeo@windowsitpro.com
SQL Server Management Studio Express (SSMSE) is the primary SQL Server Express management and development tool. Using keyboard shortcuts lets you do more work faster, so one of the best ways to be productive with SSMSE is to understand the available keyboard shortcuts. SSMSE supports quite a few keyboard shortcuts, but here are the most common.
CTRL+C, CTRL+X, CTRL+V, CTRL+Z, CTRL+Y--Copy, Cut, Paste, Undo, Redo SSMSE supports the standard Microsoft editing keyboard shortcuts. CTRL+C copies the selected text, CTRL+X cuts the selected text, CTRL+V pastes the contents of the clipboard, CTRL+Z undoes the most recent change, and CTRL+Y restores the last undo action.
F5--Run the Statement An incredibly handy shortcut, the F5 key runs either the selected text in the Query Editor window or all of the statements in the window if nothing is selected.
CTRL+C, CTRL+U--Comment, Uncomment the Selected Line Commenting and uncommenting lines in the Query Editor window is one of the common actions that you'll perform when creating larger queries and stored procedures. To comment a line, select the line and type CTRL+C. You can uncomment the line by using CTRL+U.
CTRL+T, CTRL+D--Output Results to Text By default, SSMSE displays query results in a grid format. However, it’s sometimes better to see the results as text. Typing CTRL+T switches the output to text format. CTRL+D toggles the output back to grid format.
CTRL+L--Display the Execution Plan You might find it handy to see the execution plan that a query will use to make sure the query is being executed as you expect. Typing CTRL+L executes either the selected text in the Query Editor window (or all the statements in the window if nothing is selected) and displays the execution plan.
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Check It Out: SQL Server 2005 Express How-Tos
by Michael Otey, mikeo@windowsitpro.com
For the database novice, getting started with SQL Server 2005 Express can be a challenge. You know that the real work begins after the database is installed and running, but sometimes, just getting all of the prerequisites out of the way can make installing the database more difficult than you might expect. To help you get going, Microsoft included 17 common how-tos in the SQL Server documentation. These how-to articles cover topics from installation to enabling network access and setting up replication. You can find the how-tos by opening SQL Server Express Books Online (BOL), selecting the Contents tab, and opening the How-To folder.
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3. ==== Resources and Events ===========
Are you an Oracle professional who has cross-platform responsibilities, or do you need to transfer your skill set to SQL Server? If so, register for free to attend the Cross Platform Data online event January 30 and 31 and February 1, 2007. In a seminar featuring SQL Server and Oracle experts Andrew Sisson from Scalability Experts and Douglas McDowell from Solid Quality Learning, you'll learn key concepts about SQL Server 2005, including how to deploy SQL Server's BI capabilities on Oracle, proof points demonstrating that SQL Server is enterprise-ready, and how to successfully deploy Oracle on the Windows platform. http://events.unisfair.com/rt/sql/?code=1206emailannc
Are you who you say you are? Really? Even on Linux? Really? If you’re like most IT professionals, this type of identity crisis is a plague. Virtual TechX World--available December 14--makes your life (and the lives of your users) easier by equipping you with the latest interoperability insights and technology. Slots are filling quickly--register today! http://events.unisfair.com/rt/techx?code=1206emailannc
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5. Speed Database Development and Improve Code Quality
by Blake Eno, beno@windowsitpro.com
SoftTree Technologies announced SQL Assistant Beta, a SQL code-completion tool that supports SQL Server and Oracle platforms. SQL Assistant helps with SQL code typing by offering automatic word completion and database object and attribute browsing. The software integrates with other database editors, including the native tools that come with your database. SQL Assistant requires a small disk and memory footprint and can be installed without interrupting any existing processes or settings. To view screenshots of the software, visit SoftTree Technologies on the Web. For more information, call 212-208-4625 or 800-289-9256. http://www.softtree.com
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