Can I develop in SQL Server Express for later deployment in a full SQL Server?

Question

Very new to SQL Server. I am needing to develop a SQL Server database to run with an iPhone app I am developing. It will ultimately be running with our full-fledged SQL Server database, which is administered by our IT guy, but I'd like to have a local database for testing.

Two questions:

1. I assume I can use SQL Server Express 2012 for this purpose, since it is advertised as such; but would it be better/easier to use what appears to be the simplest form, LocalDB, in conjunction with VB2010? It will be running on my office PC to which a port is open for TCP communication from my app (which is working fine). Would LocalDB work for that, if the communication occurs in the VB app? Or will I need to get the SQL Server Express edition?

2. If a prototype database is developed in SQL Server Express, can it migrate to our full-fledged SQL Server when the app is taken "live"? (I am not sure right now what version our full-fledged SQL Server is, but I was planning on using SQL Server Express 2012.)

Answer 1

Yes, the Express editions ARE the full-fledged SQL Server version - no code difference, only some marketing-driven restrictions (on database size and so forth).

You can absolutely develop your system on a SQL Server Express, and then just detach your database from Express and re-attach it to a Standard or Enterprise edition server. No fuss, no migration, no conversion - nothing - it just works. Period.

And I would probably even argue having a server installation (of your Express) edition is the better choice than LocalDB. That way, you're already using the server-based approach as you will later on in production, and you won't fall into any "convenience" traps offered by LocalDB (or other approaches) that make dev life easier - but rollout to production can be a challenge. When you use SQL Server Express as a server-based installation from the get to - you have the "real deal" from day one.