I think you can now by SQL Server Developer Edition for $49. So, the developer will get the full set of tools for development, and can deploy their customers on MSDE.

BOb


>Jim,
>
>MSDE is not now, nor was it ever intended, as a *development platform* for SQL Server.
>
>MSDE is the "engine" portion of the commercial SQL Server package. The commercial SQL Server package, whether licensed for developers or users, contains the necessary tools to administer the engine and the data that it manipulates.
>
>There are SEVERAL excellent public/shareware tools that maintain SQL and/or MSDE databases. Therefore, if you choose to develop your apps using only the MSSQL engine, you're not limited to using their included tools. If you purchase a "Developer Edition" of SQL Server (about fifty dollars), you receive a FULL version of SQL Server (with all the tools) and a license to install that version for *development purposes only*. The ONLY difference between this and the "end-user" full version of SQL Server is the licensing restrictions.
>
>MSDE, therefore, is itself "limited" only in two areas: database size (2GB per database, and you can have as many databases as you want), and number of *concurrent* queries (five, irregardless of the number of *connections* to the engine).
>
>If you'd like some more information, read my DevCon report on developing apps with MSDE here on the UT.
>
>
>>Getting picky here, I know, but I have never seen MS describe SQL Server as a "suite". To me, when MS says "SQL Server" it means the SQL Server PRODUCT.
>>
>>We don't buy VFP8 as a "suite", do we! Yet look at all the tools it comes with, and consider how useful VFP would be without those tools.
>>
>>I really do feel that it is wrong to let people say that "MSDE is SQL Server with limitations" because MSDE has more (well, less actually) than just "linitations" - it doesn't have the key tools NEEDED to successfully develop/deploy MSDE let alone SQL Server.
>>
>>
>>
>> >I suppose it depends on how you define SQL Server. I think MSDE is SQL Server with limitations. It simply does not include the administration tools you get when you buy the full blown SQL Server suite.
>>>
>>>The Server is the Server, and the tools are the tools. It's kind like arguing that C# is not C# if you don't have Visual Studio to manipulate your programming of it.
>>>
>>>Alan
>>>
>>>>SNIP...>MSDE "is" SQL Server - with usage restrictions (eg. the 2GB size limit).
>>>>
>>>>No, it is not! MSDE *is* the SQL Server data engine with usage restrictions would be an accurate statement.
>>>>To date no one has satisfactorily identified those components of "SQL Server" that are necessary for its successful administration and use but are not part of MSDE.
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>I Heard this through the grapevine.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>"It appears that MSDE can only be used if you have SQL-SERVER installed"
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Anyone knows more about this?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I just hope that an official from MS will tell us where to stand on this.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>If it's true why would MSDE be provided with VFP and other products? It should be provided only with SQL-Server.