SQL LocalDB vs SQL Server CE

sql-server entity-framework sql-server-ce sql-server-express sql-server-2012
danbord picture danbord · Mar 11, 2012 · Viewed 13.8k times · Source

I have a small project that will have 1 user on 1 computer. The database will be rather small (probably less than 1 mb of data). I plan to use WPF and Entity Framework for that project.

I came up with 2 potential database solutions for my project : SQL Server CE and SQL Server Express LocalDB (with SQL Server 2012). I have never worked with any of those, I'm more used to work with the full SQL Server 2008 installation.

I also want it to be easy to install on the client. Ideally I'd like to just throw a bunch of files on a folder (along with my .exe file).

So anybody here could suggest me the best technology to use?

Thanks!

Answer

marc_s picture marc_s · Mar 11, 2012

See the Introducing SQL Server Express Local DB Runtime presentation - gives a great overview.

The huge benefit of LocalDB is that it's real SQL Server - it's a special version of SQL Server Express, but it basically supports everything that "real" SQL Server has - spatial data types, stored procedures - you name it.

SQL Server Compact Edition on the other hand is a very much scaled down version - lot of features and datatypes aren't supported. It's smaller and more "agile" - but it lacks a lot of punch.

I personally would pick SQL Server Express with the LocalDB runtime over SQL Server CE 4 - unless you specifically need the tiny size of SQL Server CE (e.g. on a mobile device).

Also see a comparison between SQL Server CE 3.5, CE 4.0, SQL Server Express 2008 R2 and SQL Server 2012 Express LocalDB on ErikEJ's excellent Everything SQL Server Compact web site.

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