Datasheet

When you have this information safely ensconced in your SQL Server 2005

Express database, you’re free to use all sorts of tools and technologies to

help make sense of your data. For example, you might store details about all

the individual transactions that your organization performs, and then use

business intelligence or other data analysis tools to help identify trends from

your sales results.

While you’re free to store anything you like in your SQL Server 2005 Express

database, be aware that any individual database has a maximum storage limit

of 4GB for your information. If you find yourself approaching that ceiling, you

need to archive some of your older data to make room for newer knowledge.

Distributed enterprise

With the rise of low cost, high-speed Internet connections, many more organi-

zations are realizing benefits from distributed computing. For the distributed

enterprise of any size, SQL Server 2005 Express offers a good balance

between the low maintenance requirements of an entry-level database like

Microsoft Access, and the capabilities of a robust, server-based database.

In addition to these features, you can administer multiple remote SQL Server

2005 Express sites from one location via the SQL Server Management Studio

Express.

Another useful capability of SQL Server 2005 Express is its ability to partici-

pate as a client in a replication architecture. This means that you could have

a single, high-end edition of SQL Server distributing its data among numerous

SQL Server 2005 Express clients. These clients could, in turn, support read-

only applications like reporting or business intelligence. This type of archi-

tecture spreads the processing load across multiple machines, and helps

eliminate bottlenecks.

Finally, another good illustration of distributed computing is to use SQL

Server 2005 Express as a local database and then aggregate its information to

a central server for safekeeping and analysis. For example, suppose that

you’re building a retail application that will support dozens of locations, none

of which will have a database administrator. You could install a traditional,

low-end database in each store, but you need to take advantage of a true rela-

tional database management system’s features, such as advanced security,

stored procedures, or triggers. You also need to gather and consolidate this

data for reporting purposes. This is a good use for SQL Server 2005 Express:

It offers enough power for enterprise-class applications without demanding

teams of highly trained administrators for its daily care and feeding.

Part I: Welcome to SQL Server 2005 Express

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