LocalDB Denali: New version of SQL Express

Microsoft released LocalDB a couple of weeks ago as part of SQL Denali CTP 3. LocalDB or Local Database Runtime is the new version of SQL Express created specifically for developers. It carries the same features as SQL Express, but in addition, installs faster, has fewer prerequisites, and doesn’t require management of a database instance.

Here are some important points to note about LocalDB:

• LocalDB does not replace SQL Express, it is an addition to the express family, meant specifically for developers
• It runs as a separate process, rather than as a service.
• same memory limitations as Express.
• uses the same sqlservr.exe as the regular SQL Express and other editions of SQL Server
• you can create and start a user instance without installing the parent SQL Express instance
• applications will use the same client-side providers (ADO.NET, ODBC etc) to connect to it
• multiple LocalDB processes can exists on same machine
• no database services in LocalDB
• LocalDB runs in the same security context as the calling application
• you can attach to database using file location – support for AttachDbFileName property
• Currently, you must install SQL Server Express Edition in Denali CTP 3 and select LocalDB as a feature. In future, LocalDB may be available as a separate, smaller installer.
• Currently no support for .NET 4, but planned in future

About The Author

Suprotim Agarwal, MCSD, MCAD, MCDBA, MCSE, is the founder of DotNetCurry, DNC Magazine for Developers, SQLServerCurry and DevCurry. He has also authored a couple of books 51 Recipes using jQuery with ASP.NET Controls and a new one recently at The Absolutely Awesome jQuery CookBook.

Suprotim has received the prestigous Microsoft MVP award for nine times in a row now. In a professional capacity, he is the CEO of A2Z Knowledge Visuals Pvt Ltd, a digital group that represents premium web sites and digital publications comprising of Professional web, windows, mobile and cloud developers, technical managers, and architects.

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