How to use sql express in offline mode for generating a report !!

Hi ,

I have been using ms sql 2000 database for generating reports up till now . but now as per a new requirement , i have to obtain data for generating the report from sql express & not ms sql 2000 , and that too in offline mode . i do not know how the structure of data is there in sql express .

1)do we have data stored in tables? or do we use xml ?

2)do we write similar queries as we write in ms sql ?

3) and lastly what is this offline stuff ?

Can any one please throw some light on comparison between sql 2000 and sql express in these three points.

Thanks in advance

SQL Express is the exact same database engine as SQL Server. SQL Express has maximum database size limits (4 GB), and some other functionalities are not included, but generally, you use it the same. Same tables, VIEWs, queries, security, etc.

As to the 'off-line'. I 'm not sure what you mean, but I suspect the requirement means to not allow data changes while the report is being generated. An 'Off-line' database is generally not available -it is off-line. (Go figure...) You could restrict usage by changing the database to 'Read-Only' or to 'Single User' mode. More information is needed to give a definitive response to that part.

Click here for a more detailed contrast between the versions.

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In addition to Arnie, you don′t need a database for generating reports in SQL Server Reporting Services. the reports can also be based on XML files or any other providers shipped with SQL Server. For SQL Server Express, you can only use local SQL Server data (stored in tables)

Jens K. Suessmeyer.

http://www.sqlserver2005.de