Comments on: MSDE Database Limits

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 17:30:46 +0000

MySQL is very good at what it does but is in a totally different ball park to MSSQL / MSDE. If you’re doing basic SQL then MySQL wont let you down but as soon as you move onto Views, Functions, Stored Procs etc in MSSQL you wont go back to MySQL unless you have to. The other annoying thing about MySQL is it’s case-sensitivity for table and column names (yuk).

Microsoft have just released SQL2005 Express, which is a 4GB version like the old MSDE. If you blow this then you’re company should be making enough money to fork out a few thousand for full SQL. If you’re from the free software brigade then get MySQL and get used to writing SQL long hand.

I have found several cases where people have written mickey mouse applications for people in MSDE. The applications have been heavily used or have been in use for a few years and eventually the 2GB limit is reached. The answer was normally to spend £3000 on a SQL licence. Obviously people complain at this. But I think this is the fault of the original developer for not looking at the scalability or warning them that one day they may reach a limit and have to pay and not MS…

By: prashant kothari

prashant kothari — Thu, 22 Sep 2005 07:54:02 +0000

I am using MSDE (SQL Server v8.0 Engine) from a laptop. Can you provide a some details about the limitations on the Database in terms of size, max users etc. It would be really nice if you can send me some links/URLs that provide any information about this DB specifications/limitations.

By: Charo

Charo — Thu, 08 Sep 2005 14:24:23 +0000

We solve a BIG problem with an application that only run with MSDE database engine.

Thank you, Steve!!!!

By: Jeremy Zawodny

Jeremy Zawodny — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Heh.

And people make fun of MySQL…

By: Jim O'Halloran

Jim O'Halloran — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

In its defence, MSDE is a good solution… But limits like a 2Gb database size limit which are there simply to “sell an upgrade” really irritate me.

In my situation, the customer I’m writing this for does have the full SQL Server product, and the app will run under SQL Server. I don’t want to run NT4 Server on my laptop (yuk!), so I can’t run the full SQL Server, which now means I can’t develop the application easily on my primary development machine.

Unfortunately, for various reasons MySQL isn’t a good fit for our customers either.

Jim.

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

MSDE has a 2GB data file size limitation - but it only checks the file size when trying to GROW the data file.

You can restore a database created on Std Edition or Enterprise Edition that is ALREADY bigger than 2GB, and MSDE is OK with that. As long as you don’t run out of space in the data file (and MSDE doesn’t have to enlarge the file) you’ll be OK.

The license for MSDE only allows a maximum of 2GB per database, so don’t do this.