Can we send mail in express edition sql server

In SQL Server Express Edition, you can send mail using the sp_send_dbmail stored procedure, but there are some limitations compared to the full version of SQL Server.

Here are the key differences:

1. No built-in SMTP server: SQL Server Express Edition does not include a built-in SMTP server, which means you'll need to configure an external SMTP server to send emails.
2. Limited mail functionality: The sp_send_dbmail stored procedure in SQL Server Express Edition only supports sending plain text emails, whereas the full version of SQL Server supports sending HTML emails and attachments.
3. No support for SSL/TLS encryption: SQL Server Express Edition does not support SSL/TLS encryption for email transmission, which may be a security concern for some organizations.

To send mail using sp_send_dbmail in SQL Server Express Edition, you'll need to:

1. Configure an external SMTP server: Set up an SMTP server on your network or use a third-party SMTP service like Gmail or Outlook.
2. Create a profile: Create a mail profile in SQL Server using the sp_addmailprofile stored procedure, which specifies the SMTP server, username, and password.
3. Send the email: Use the sp_send_dbmail stored procedure to send the email, specifying the profile, subject, and body.

Here's an example:

EXEC sp_send_dbmail 
    @profile_name = 'MyMailProfile', 
    @recipients = '[email protected]', 
    @subject = 'Test email from SQL Server Express', 
    @body = 'This is a test email sent from SQL Server Express.';

Keep in mind that the sp_send_dbmail stored procedure is only available in SQL Server 2005 and later versions. In earlier versions, you can use the xp_sendmail extended stored procedure, but it's deprecated and not recommended for use.

If you need more advanced mail functionality or support for SSL/TLS encryption, you may want to consider upgrading to a full version of SQL Server or using a third-party email library.