How do I create a SQL server database which is not Sql server compact?

I have Visual Studio 2010, Sql Server 2008, Sql Management Studio and pretty much everything installed. I can create a local database with Sql Server Compact and Windows authentication just fine. Now I'm a little perplexed, because I still have no idea how all of this works. I didn't use any connection strings, passwords or anything. While coding, I can clearly see that the DataContext class in C# when using LINQ to SQL needs a connection string. How can I test this on my own pc? Is it unreasonable that I want to test this kind of stuff throughly while not currently having hosted services on the Internet yet? And often times, I don't have so much access to the server when using shared hosting, so I can't learn very fast and not fully.

When trying to connect to different services through SQL management stud开发者_运维问答io and Windows authentication and my local pc, I just get a connection error. Error Number: 2 Severity: 20 State: 0 I don't think that the database engine is the appropiate service to connect to anyway based on what I read, I just thought that you would like to know what I tried. I checked, and sqlservr.exe is running in the processes in the task manager. Also SQL Server VSS writer.

Basically, I would like to learn how SQl Server databases work. The books, wikipedia and msdn on this topic just enumerate a lot of cryptic services like the database engine, analytical services etc... I can't find any basic information on how to actally create, connect and program with a real database on my own pc. I'm not even sure whether I'm supposed to work like this?

I read that Sql server compact only supports databases up to 2mb. Is it not possible for me to work with "the real thing" on my local pc?

I'm very very new to all this, and I'm not getting anywhere with databases... Thanks for any help!

See: no option for a full sql database.

Server seems to run, but why does it say Server express? I'm sure I have the full one.

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Installing Visual Studio generally installs a SQL Server instance on your local machine.

It is acceptable to work with "the real thing" on localhost, since when changing server, only the connection string has to change.

You will have to install the right version of SQL Server Management Studio Express (SSMSE) for your version of SQL Server so that you can start it, authenticate and work with SQL Server.

You may also connect to your SQL Server using the Server Explorer windows from within Visual Studio. Menu View|Server Explorer, or else [CTRL]+[W], [L] to view it. Then, you may connect to a data server from this window using the connection buttons on top of it.

1. Click View|Server Explorer, to view it;
2. Server Explorer, click "Connect" button located on top;
3. Choose a data source dialog, Data Source, click Microsoft SQL Server;
4. Data Provider, select .NET Framework Data Provider for SQL Server, click [Continue];
5. Add a connection dialog, Server name, select the server you want to connect to (your [local machine name]\SQLEXPRESS might appear, or something alike);
6. Server connection, choose Windows Authentication;
7. Database connection, select the database you want to connect to, and click [Test Connection];
8. If the test succeeds, click [OK], and you're done!

Disclaimer

The names of menus or window title may differ a bit, but you should get it done anyway. That is because I have off my head translated from French to English what it actually says in French, working with a French Visual Studio.

EDIT #1

After having taken an eye out your screenshot, I would simply say that you only have to select Database Engine to connect to your SQL Server instance, by selecting the right server on which you wish to work.

The full database option you're looking for is Database Engine which designates a full SQL Server.

The others are for the different services such as:

1. SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS);
2. SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS);
3. SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS).

Feel free to ask further assistance as needed. =)