What should it cost to set up an SQL server (apart from the hardware costs of the server itself)?

Question

I've heard something about Microsoft giving SQL server licenses away free now. This doesn't sound like Bill Gates. If I have a server, and want to set up an SQL server running a database of less than 5000 records, how much would it cost?

Answer 1

It SHOULD be free. After all, there are plenty of excellent SQL packages that are completely free.



In reality, you can get the express edition for free, and this should be fine for your small database. Of course, Microsoft wants you to buy the full-blown version.



If your heart is set on a Microsoft-based solution, you can experiment with the express edition of SQL server (and the express edition of a programming language like C# or VB.NET) If you're using the database in a commercial environment, you should purchase the commercial license (which is expensive.)



However, you can have an equally powerful data solution for free if you consider open-source alternatives. The latest version of MySQL compares very well to SQL server, and is totally free (although you can purchase a support package if you want to)



You can use MySQL with .net languages, or with open-source languages (commonly Java, PHP, and Python)

Answer 2

Rather than use the Microsoft SQL Server, I'd recommend going for one of the open-source alternatives. These are free, as long as you're willing to do the configuration yourself.



The two main ones are MySQL and PostgreSQL - each has its fans, but to be honest for a DB of just 5000 either one would do fine.



You'll probably find that if you sign up for any web hosting plan, a database connection (usually to MySQL) will be included for free.

Answer 3

If you look at http://www.microsoft.com/sql/editions/default.mspx it explains the various versions of SQL Server, the express edition sounds as though it would do the job your after and is free.



People talk about how to go for MySQL as it's free - but if you want the features of the full version of SQL Server you'll have to use things like the Enterprise version of MySQL - which you still have to pay for!



Nige

Answer 4

I would seach ebay for a copy of say SQL7. This would be more than enough to get the database you want.



However depending on your application you could export all the tables from your current SQL into say something like MYSQL and just use their preparatory ODBC client to connect your frontend application to.



I have done this sucesssfully in the past. This costing nothing for an SQL based database backend.

Answer 5

You can download various SQL Server versions such as SQL Express for free.



Visit the Microsoft Website.



FYI also check out MySQL.