Microsoft's SQL Server 2005 Express is the replacement for MSDE, the desktop version of SQL Server 2000.
Two versions of SQL Server 2005 Express can currently be downloaded from the Microsoft Web site - the Beta 2 (July 2004) and the Community Technical Preview (October 2004).
This is fairly early beta software. I would suggest you install only on a clean machine or Virtual PC, if at all possible. The SQL Server engine at the heart of SQL Server Express is pretty much rock solid. Some of the surrounding parts of the new product have quite a bit more work that needs to be done.
Developers who want to explore this exciting new product need to take care when downloading SQL Server Express since it needs a matching version of the .NET Framework in order to install and run successfully.
Here are the links to get the versions with information about where to get the corresponding version of the .NET Framework.
SQL Server Express Beta 2
Download SQL Server Express from
SQL Server 2005 Express Beta 2
if you want a more stable version. SQL Server Express uses version 2.0.40607 which can be downloaded from
NET Framework Version 2.0 Redistributable Package Beta 1 (x86)
.
SQL Server Express October 2004 CTP
Download the CTP of SQL Server Express from
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition - Community Technology Preview October 2004
. The October CTP needs version 2.0.40903 of the .NET Framework which can be downloaded from
here
.