| Feature | SQLite | Express Edition | LocalDB | |---------|--------|----------------|---------| | In-proc engine | Yes | No | No (separate user process) | | Real SQL Server T-SQL | No | Yes | Yes | | Background service overhead | None | High (Windows service) | None (on-demand user process) | | Attach/detach .mdf files | No | Yes | Yes | | Supports multiple instances | No | Yes | Yes ( sqllocaldb command) | | Automatic idle shutdown | N/A | No | Yes |
“We can’t run the full SQL Server,” her junior, Andrei, said, wiping condensation from his glasses. “This terminal has 2GB of RAM to spare. And we can’t install the full engine; the security policy won’t allow a Windows service with that much privilege.” sql server localdb
Server=(localdb)\ArcticNode;Integrated Security=true; | Feature | SQLite | Express Edition |