Investigating SQL Server 1

[StewartUK]

I'm looking into upsizing our existing VFP application to run with a SQL Server back end.

The Standard version looks right for us.

Can anyone edvise me what the Developer version is exactly? If we're definitely going to go for SQL Server anyway, is there any point in buying the Developer version?

Is it worth holding out for the SQL Server 2008?

Any other insights you'd like to share?

Thanks,

Stewart

 

[bborissov]

Developer version is what your need when you develop your application.
If costs almost $60 (If I remember well) and has all the power of enterprise version.
You could do everything with your DB. BUT that version is ONLY for developers. When you sell your application your clients MUST have their own SQL Server license. What that is their choice.

If you have already some SQL Server version there is no need to buy any additional license. BUT it is always better to have SQL Server installed on Developer machine during the development process. So $60 for developer version is good spent money (IMHO).

About SQL Server 2008. Yes it is great but think: How many of your customers will buy SQL Server 2008 if they have SQL Server 2000 already? So my advice is: Build your application SQL Server 2000 compatible. When percent of newer versions of SQL Server goes high you easily could use all goodies from their versions and tell to others: Go buy SQL Server 2005 or 2008.
Most of the people here still use SQL Server 2000 and they DON'T WANT to upgrade!



Borislav Borissov
VFP9 SP2, SQL Server 2000/2005.
Microsoft MVP VFP

 

[Mike Lewis]

Stewart,

Borislav has given you some good advice. I'd especially agree with the points about SQL Server 2008. Most of my clients are still on 2000, and have no wish to upgrade to 2005, much less 2008. There are various reasons for that. Personally, I have 2000 and 2005 on my system, but will only go to 2008 when I absolutely have to.

As for the Developer Edition, this is the product to go for if you are developing on your own and don't normally have access to the full system. It has all the features of the Enterprise Edition, the only restriction being that it is not licensed for production use. It's ideal for someone like me, who needs SQL Server as a development tool, but is never going to use it with real data. Provided your end-users have one of the full versions, using the Developer Edition for development make sense.

Hope this helps. SQL Server is a good product, and it interfaces well with VFP. Good luck with it.

Mike

__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

My Visual FoxPro site: www.ml-consult.co.uk

 

[StewartUK]

Thanks for your advice Borislav & Mike, it has helped me make up my mind.

Stewart

 

[craigber]

Another option is to go with SQL Server Express, which is free for everyone.

I'm curious...why do you want to move to SQL Server?

Craig Berntson
MCSD, Visual FoxPro MVP,

http://www.craigberntson.com

Author, CrysDev: A Developer's Guide to Integrating Crystal Reports"

 

[StewartUK]

Hi Craig,

I did wonder about Express and I'll have another look as you mention it. I wasn't sure how it compared to SQL Server Standard. What's you experience of using either?

3 reasons that I've thought of:
[ol][li]Less network traffic[/li]
[li]Security[/li]
[li]Future proofing. I work in-house - if the data is moved to (I suppose something like) SQL Server, then when/if I leave the company is in a better position to get someone else in to continue my work.[/li][/ol]

I work for a not-for-profit charity in the UK. We can get SQL Server standard for £1111 plus £24 per CAL so cost is less of an issue, but if Express turned out to do most of what Standard does, then I'd probably change my mind.

Of course, MySQL is another possibility...

Stewart

 

[craigber]

Stewart,

Express does pretty much everything Standard does. Security is the same. But Express doesn't run as a service. It is launched when first accessed. There won't necessarily be less network traffic unless it is only used locally. The data files can be detached from Express and then reattached in Standard. There are also size limitations (4 Gig per database) on Express.

Craig Berntson
MCSD, Visual FoxPro MVP,

http://www.craigberntson.com

Author, CrysDev: A Developer's Guide to Integrating Crystal Reports"

 

[Mike Lewis]

Stewart,

One point to bear in mind about SQL Server Express is that it doesn't come with any front-end management tools. It's purely a database engine. I would still recommend you get the Developer edition for your own development use.

Express is fine as run-time engine for end users of your application, but keep in mind that 4 GB limit. That's 4 GB for the entire database, not per physical file like in VFP.

Mike

__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

My Visual FoxPro site: www.ml-consult.co.uk

 

[craigber]

Mike,

That's no longer true. With SP1, SQL Express now has a lite version of SQL Management Studio.

Craig Berntson
MCSD, Visual FoxPro MVP,

http://www.craigberntson.com

Author, CrysDev: A Developer's Guide to Integrating Crystal Reports"

 

[Mike Lewis]

Craig,

Thanks for the correction.

Mike

__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

My Visual FoxPro site: www.ml-consult.co.uk