Which Express Edition to go with: SQL Server 2005 or 2008 R2?

Question

For migrating my old database from MySQL to SQL Server, which edition is suitable, 2005 or 2008 R2? Some developers suggested me to stick to the old version.

Suggest Pros and Cons. I will be using with my .NET standalone Windows app.

Answer 1

I would recommend 2008 R2 over the 2005 Express Edition for the fact that the database size limit on 2005 Express is 4 GB, when 2008 bumped that up to 10 GB. RAM is still limited to a maximum of 1 GB.

There's also the addition of the hierarchyid, besides the fact of impending loss of support for 2005...

Answer 2

SQL 2008 R2 has a number of advantages over earlier versions - Standard edition allows for compressed backup - which can be restored on the R2 express version provide they are less than 10GB. (earlier versions limited to 4GB) The SQL Management studio in 2008R2 has intellisense- and as intellisense goes in SQL its quite good. 2008 R2 will still run on XP appropriately service packed. Both are solid as rocks. There are a number of (useful) extensions to the SQL language in the area of joins. There are a number of useful additons to data types (geographic and geometric) and indexes.

Answer 3

Microsoft has announced that mainstream support for SQL Server 2005 will end 4/12/2001. http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle

I would use the newer version as it has a longer life span and also has some cool features like the compressed storage format and compressed backups. If you are thinking of using the free Express version 2008 R2 allows databases of up to 10GB, while the older version limits you to 4GB.

Answer 4

https://serverfault.com/questions/121299/migrate-sql-server-2000-which-is-better-2005-vs-2008

Advantages of SQL Server 2008 over SQL Server 2005?

Answer 5

I would go with 2008 R2, if for no other reason then the fact that mainstream support for 2005 will end on 04/12/2011.