What is the Difference Between SQL Server 2008 and Express?

The main differences between SQL Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 Express are related to features, performance, and target use cases. Here are some key distinctions:

1. Features: SQL Server 2008 Express is a scaled-down version of SQL Server 2008, with limitations on certain features such as database size, memory usage, and CPU utilization. Some advanced features, such as SQL Agent (for scheduling jobs), support for databases larger than 10GB, and integration services are not available in the Express edition.
2. Performance: SQL Server 2008 Express can only utilize a single processor, 1GB of memory, and has a maximum database size limit of 10GB. In contrast, SQL Server 2008 can support multiple processors, larger memory capacities, and larger database sizes, making it more suitable for enterprise-level applications.
3. Target Use Cases: SQL Server 2008 is a commercial product targeted at organizations with significant data processing requirements, while SQL Server 2008 Express is a free version for small projects, personal use, and development and testing environments.

A more comprehensive comparison of the differences between SQL Server 2008 Express and SQL Server 2008 Enterprise can be found on the SQL Server Editions Comparison page.

Comparative Table: SQL Server 2008 vs Express

Here is a table comparing the differences between SQL Server 2008 and SQL Server Express:

The primary differences between SQL Server 2008 and SQL Server Express are related to cost, performance, scalability, and features. SQL Server 2008 is a commercial product with a cost, while SQL Server Express is a free, scaled-down version with limited features and performance. SQL Server 2008 supports multiple CPUs and has a higher maximum memory utilization and database size compared to SQL Server Express. Additionally, SQL Server 2008 comes with various tools and services, while SQL Server Express has limited features and is suitable for entry-level databases and learning purposes.