The web host I'm planning to use said they support SQL Server Express so should I still install SQL Server 2005? I have it but I'm currently using SQL Express Edition 2008.

Rachel

never mind. I'm going to use the express. I just saw what the real sql standard cost!

You can do pretty much anything with the free SQL Express that you can with the paid version of SQL Server, other than the CPU limits and database size.

Visual Studio has a nice interface into SQL, but it does have limitations. To fully experience SQL you can download the management console for free. This will allow you to run queries in a test mode to get them doing just what you want before creating a stored procedure.

One downside is that you can't use Visual Studio and the SQL management console to connect to the database at the same time.

Depending on who is hosting your web site you may be able to use the SQL Management console to administer your database, which is a good thing if it's allowed. So you will need it on your machine and will need to be familar with it.

You are speaking of the Sql server management studio? I do have that.

Thanks,
Rachel

You can attach both to the database at the same time. Once you attach the beerhouse in management studio, you need to 1. create a new data connection in the VS server explorer window instead of the ASPNETDB.MDB. 2. Then alter the connection string in web.config - for example:
<add name="LocalSqlServer" connectionString="Data Source=.\SQLExpress;Initial Catalog=BEERHOUSE(the name you assigned in 1.) ;Integrated Security=True" providerName="System.Data.SqlClient"/>