Advice on choosing SQL Server 2005 or 2008.

I just got my DASP account setup for my newly finished ASP.Net MVC application and am trying to decide which db version to use. I developed this application with 2005 for which I have a pro license for and it is installed on my laptop. I don’t have a license for 2008 and I don’t for see getting one in the near future, but I’m always trying to use the latest technologies if it make sense. The easy thing to do would be to simply select the 2005 option

Here is my technical background which may help in giving me the advice I seek.

• I call myself database developer and feel very comfortable with working with Sql Server and Access. I haven’t used 2008, but have read a lot about it.
  
• My ASP.Net MVC is not only my first .net app but my first ASP.net application, therefore I’ve never done a deployment or dealt with hosting companies.
  
• I noticed that you get more space with a 2008, but my database is only a few megs, so that’s not really a big deal
  
• I’m using the built in membership provider which I have ported into my application database.

So here are some question I have…

1. If I start with 2005 and I latter switch to 2008, is there a fee for doing this? How hard is it do upgrade?
2. Can I just start with the 2008 option but leave my mdf as 2005 and configure it so that will still work with 2005? I assume that the advantage of this is that I can still look at my database on my laptop without having to install 2008 Express.

Any thoughts would be appreciative.
Thanks,
John Marsing

 

I recommend you choose the SQL 2005 database addon for now. SQL 2008 is the latest technology but if you want to manage it remotely with your SQL 2005 Management Studio, you will either need to download a patch for it or download SQL 2008 Management Studio Express.
Upsizing to a SQL 2008 is not a difficult task. We do not have an upsize procedure. But the steps are ordering the SQL 2008 addon, then migrating your SQL 2005 objects and data to SQL 2008 and then dropping your SQL 2005 addon.

 

Thanks raymondp.

Good, then I will for now go with the 2005 db addon.

Just to make sure I have clarity, when I get around to developing with 2008 I can just drop the 2005 addon and add the 2008 addon therefore the monthly database add on cost will be a wash...correct?

Thanks,
John Marsing

 

No. If you still have some balance left on your SQL 2005 addon it should be credited to your SQL 2008 addon when you order. Make sure you open a ticket to our billing department a let them know. Its a manual process. So if they don't know they won't be able to transfer the credit to the new database addon.