What benefit do I derive from installing Sql Express with Visual Studio (2010) when I already have Microsoft Sql Server Developer (2008)?
The only benefit I can imagine is that I can develop for either platform without having to be concerned with which one(s) I have installed. Is there an actual negative detriment to removing Sql Server Express (specifically the SqlExpress instance) from my development machine?
SQL Server Developer is an ideal choice for people who build and test applications. Express edition is the entry-level, free database and is ideal for learning and building desktop and small server data-driven applications.
Microsoft SQL Server Express is a version of Microsoft's SQL Server relational database management system that is free to download, distribute and use. It comprises a database specifically targeted for embedded and smaller-scale applications.
The key here is Visual Studio is oriented towards development. SSMS is oriented towards database and server management.
The only advantages I can think of to having Express as well are:
If neither of those situations are relevant, I can't think of a single downside to removing the Express instance. To be safe you may want to start by stopping and disabling the Express service for a week, just to be sure nothing you have is relying on it.
Note that uninstalling Express from Programs and Features will remove the engine but it will leave any of your user databases intact. So there is no fear of data loss, provided you stop the SQL Server service gracefully before you uninstall it.
To remove SQL Server Express, you would right-click whichever of these items appears in Add/Remove Programs / Programs and Features:
Microsoft SQL Server 2008
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 (64-bit)
(There should only be one of those unless you've got a really messed up set of instances on an x64 machine.)
C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10.SQLEXPRESS\
Should be safe to delete everything there unless you want to save any of the user databases. You might also search for .mdf files you want to expunge or save that may have been copied to various parts of your system due to use within an application or during development.
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