SQL Server Express and Reporting Services
I’m a fan of SQL Server Express edition. It’s a fabulously functional free database that lets you work with up to 10GB of data per database. One aspect that’s commonly misunderstood though, is that it also supports a limited version of SQL Server Reporting Services.
There are many scenarios where Express edition is the perfect fit. The Microsoft sales and marketing teams have had an ongoing strange relationship with Express edition because it’s free. Much of the documentation tried to suggest that it was for hobbyists, and para-professionals. But Express edition has a great role to play in professional systems too. For example, if you needed a small database to run on a series of point of sale devices, it could well be the right answer, particularly if it’s then connected to one of the higher editions as a central SQL Server system.
2021-02-16