Learning SQL server 2008 express

[Dist]

I finaly had enough free time on my hands to sort out SQL server 2008 express which i got off dreamspark, and it took a bit longer then i expected, partialy because i wasn't sure about some of the info the installer needed (like some stuff about accounts), and also when i first ran it said i lacked .net framework 2.0. And after i went and got the new framework, it said i lacked windows installer 4.5, so i had to go get that too (both things required PC restarts).

Anyway it's installed now, and i wish i had a decent book to hand to help me lean about it, because to be honest i have no clue about what to do to try and learn about simple databases and such.

I was hoping that the express version had some sort of easy to use interface to allow me to work with the databases i create, but all i know is that after the install a SQL service started running and i have no clue how to do anything with it.

So i am hoping someone here can either give me a simple guide on how i can run, view, and edit database in a easy to view/understand form, or provide me to where i can find a decent online guide that will explain it (ive tried to search but did not find anything that was great). I do plan to get some books on the subject but am hoping a decent online guide that starts at the very basics will get me started untill i have a chance to get the books.

 

[lokkers]

First off, you need to download SQLExpress with Advanced Services (iirc that's what it's called). This includes Management Studio, which will allow you to query and manage the server and databases. Are there no learning resources on the Microsoft Express site, alongside the Visual Studio Express versions?

EDIT: You want SQL Server 2008 Express with Tools or SQL Server 2008 Express with Advanced Services - they both have the Management Studio. Check out some of the links here http://www.microsoft.com/express/sql/download/ - hopefully you can find some examples and walkthroughs.

 

[Dist]

I just downloaded the SQL express with advanced services and its over 500mb so it must have a lot more to it then the installer i downloaded from dreamspark. The problem is, i went through the installer untill it turns out that this installer requires windows powershell, so i had to go and download/install that first. Then, after i got past the test and selected to add features to my already existing SQL install, there is no additional features in the feature selection.

All thats in the feature selection is the database engine services, SQL server replication, and SQL client connectivity SDK. All of which are already installed. I dont see any option of installing the management studio or anything like that anywhere.

Edit: also, just so you know you used the url tags wrong, it should be [ url=website ]text[ /url ], not [ url=text ]website[ /url ]. Otherwise that link in your post when clicked goes to http://here/

 

[Dist]

sorry, double post

 

[lokkers]

after i got past the test and selected to add features to my already existing SQL install, there is no additional features in the feature selection.

All thats in the feature selection is the database engine services, SQL server replication, and SQL client connectivity SDK. All of which are already installed. I dont see any option of installing the management studio or anything like that anywhere.

Edit: also, just so you know you used the url tags wrong, it should be [ url=website ]text[ /url ], not [ url=text ]website[ /url ]. Otherwise that link in your post when clicked goes to http://here/

I posted from my iPhone and I could barely see at ten to 7 this morning, so you'll forgive the cockup with the URL I hope!

Check that you dont already have it installed - it'll be in the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 folder in your Start Menu. Otherwise I'd suggest uninstalling it and reinstalling from scratch. Bit of a PITA but you really do need SSMS.

 

[Dist]

Well i have managed to get it all installed. Turns out that the installer couldnt add the management feature, or any other features, to my old SQL express install (which was basicaly just the SQL server). So after uninstalling that, i made a new install and managed to get the management studio installed along with everything else (and the installer also installed visual studio 2008 too, which i didnt realize it would, as i dont realy plan to use it).

To anyone who has to install things like this on a regular basis, you have my deepest sympathies. My install of this has been a right pain.

Download from dreamspark,
You need .net framework 2.0 to install, so i download/install that then restart
You need windows installer 4.5 to install, so i download/install that then restart
install it, turns out to lack management server.
Download from a different site, and took ages to figure out i need a fresh install
Start fresh install, failed requirements, I downloaded powershell and had to start again.
I install, took over an hour, when i came back to it i had a error about some object, the object was simply called 'form'.

Even with that error, the programs seem to be running OK, although i have not had a chance to realy try anything out yet though. Slight annoyance that i have to start and stop the sql server before and after everything time i want to play around with it, personaly i would like it to automaticaly start the server when i connect to the SQL database in the management studio, then automaticaly stop when i exit, but i guess thats too much to ask for since SQL servers will usuable left on 24/7

 

[lokkers]

the installer also installed visual studio 2008 too, which i didnt realize it would, as i dont realy plan to use it

It's not full Visual Studio, it's a UI for creating/editing SQL reports (although granted it's part of VS)

To anyone who has to install things like this on a regular basis, you have my deepest sympathies.

For a first time, you can't really expect anything less. SQL is a complex application. I've installed it so many times I can literally do it blindfolded. Not sure if you've got the .NET framework part right - are you sure you don't mean .N ET 3.5 SP1? Pretty sure that's a prerequisit for SQL 2008 Express (It certainly is for SQL Server 2008).

Slight annoyance that i have to start and stop the sql server before and after everything time i want to play around with it, personaly i would like it to automaticaly start the server when i connect to the SQL database in the management studio, then automaticaly stop when i exit, but i guess thats too much to ask for since SQL servers will usuable left on 24/7

I leave it running all the time - it only uses ~60mb RAM idle, and on a 4GB machine you're hardly going to miss it

 

[Dist]

I may leave it running if it only uses so little, i thought it may be bit of a system hog. And ive only got 2GB of ram, i did have 2x2GB, but one of my modules died on me (either that or i couldnt get the voltages correct for my motherboard to run 2 modules of the ram).

 

[oddjob62]

To anyone who has to install things like this on a regular basis, you have my deepest sympathies. My install of this has been a right pain.

You get used to it. Most server software these days has some sort of SQL back end. (either express or dedicated sql box) If you want a challenge try setting up a SQL 2008 cluster .

I may leave it running if it only uses so little, i thought it may be bit of a system hog. And ive only got 2GB of ram, i did have 2x2GB, but one of my modules died on me (either that or i couldnt get the voltages correct for my motherboard to run 2 modules of the ram).

You sould be able to set how much RAM it's allowed to use within SSMS, although this may only be possible on the full SQL server i've never tried with express.

 

[Dist]

Well one of the limitations of express is that it will only use 1GB of ram, and i think it will be a while anyway before i can make databases that even require anywhere near that ammount, so leaving the service running should not be a problem i guess (unless there is some sort of security risk i am not thinking about when leaving SQL servers running).