MSDE
MSDE
Well, I've been very quiet due to tons of work (this is a good thing).
But, I've got things I want to say, so we finally setup a blogging engine over at MCW Tech. You'll find my new blog there. I'll still blog about SQL Server related items (and much more since it's on our site). I want to say a big thank you to Donny and Doug for providing this little bit of space.
My new blog is at [0]. Also, I finally convicned Ken Getz to start a blog [1]. He's always got something to say. :-D
End of line.
[0] http://www.mcwtech.com/CS/blogs/brianr/
[1] http://www.mcwtech.com/CS/blogs/keng/
My article for MSDN Online is up at here on managing a music collection with Visual Basic Express and SQL Server Express Beta 1.
FYI, I used earlier builds than Beta 1 to write it but the code was run against Beta 1 (hence the dely in posting).
It's not complete yet so ideas are welcome. And yes, you need to install the included DirectX Managed Runtime interfaces to get things to run/compile.
Remember it's a sample built on pre-release software. :-D
End of line.
I agree. (Simon said it here.) It was great that Sam did blog about it. I don't want end-users downloading SQL Express. I don’t want most developers to download it. I only want developers who are into pain and suffering to do it and then provide feedback (which Sam has done).
The problem with Microsoft's current openness with its early releases is that more people are getting access to very early software that just doesn't work so well at times. (BTW, if you know what the core issues are AND are willing to download VB/C#/C++ Express, you can have quite a good time). That said expectations are very high and so when people are let down, they let Microsoft know. But it really is all about expectations.
My point is if you don't have time to suffer, don't download. These are not release bits. In years past, Microsoft only had private early releases and limited the pain. In an effort to be open, they’ve opened up access because, yes, Microsoft is eager to get things out, get feedback, and get excitement going. However, there are times when you must ignore the siren's song.
End of line.
Reading Sam Gentile’s recent entry on SQL Express, tells me that there are some issues.
Now I know from reading Sam’s blog that he is in fact a very smart person. However, sometimes, our expectations get in the way of our brains. What Sam was hoping for doesn’t exist yet. And actually it never will—exactly.
First off SQL Express is going to be free. Yes free. While the other Express family members will at some point have a price, they will not be free. Thus the difference between free and “a price” in features can be quite significant. However, in this case, the issues are as follows:
- SQL Express today is Beta 1 at best!
- SQL Express is designed to have a very small download footprint (25 Mb or less at RTM). Extras will be optional. I’ve not heard about plans for a CD-based experience that includes everything.
- SQL Express replaces MSDE 2000 in the SQL Server 2005 timeframe. MSDE never had GUI tools in the first place so I have to say his Beta 1 expectations are a bit high.
- SQL Express will however have a GUI manager (XM as Sam points out). It just isn’t ready.
Sam rightly points out that this should not be shipped out to end users. But it hasn’t? Last time I checked it is clearly marked as a beta for developers. If you’re going to get this pissed off to the point of profanity, maybe this early beta is not for you.
But this is just my opinion, I could be wrong.
End of line.
Well, I'm at VSLive! San Francisco today doing a pre-con with Ken Getz called Build a .NET App in a Day. I'm really amazed at the number of people who are new to .NET.
During the workshop we have a section on ADO.NET with SQL Server. Ken then gets the bright idea that we should show T-SQL debugging from within Visual Studio .NET 2003. But of course, we've got SP3a installed on SQL Server so debugging is now turned off by default. So I had to run sp_sdidebug to fix debugging. Here's a link to the KB article if you want more info [0].
End of line.
[0] http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;328151
Many people are just flat out confused about the MSDE governor and whether MSDE can scale.
Well, go read this [0] for some interesting details (oh, I wrote it). There's also a walk-through (pick your tool [VS, Web Matrix, or just Notepad] and language [VB.NET or C#]).
End of line.
[0] http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnmsde2kwrk/html/msde2000webapp.asp