1

I'm fairly newb when it comes to programming and even newer when it comes to database management and integration.

So I have a VB.NET Windows Application that uses a SQL Database. I use LINQ to SQL to fill datagridviews in windows that show table data and also use LINQ to SQL to save data to the database.

All works wonderfully however...

When I publish the application, the database isn't external as far as I can tell. It seems to build itself into the application so once the application is installed, the database is there, it views and saves data, but if the computer crashes or the application is uninstalled, all that data is going to be lost without a way to back it up.

I'm using Visual Studio 2010 Express. I created the SQL Database in VS2010-Exp as well. I feel like there's something simple I'm missing here. When the application gets published and then installed, where is the physical database going?

Thanks!

Improve this question

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1

It is running as part of the application. If you wanted a separate, central database, you would need to have an instance of SQL server running in some accessible location.

Improve this answer
Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

9 Comments

This would be required of the user who installs the application? How do I tell Visual Studio how to do this? And would SQL Server Express be sufficient?
Assuming you want each instance of the application to share the database, you would find a server or workstation that you yourself could install on that each instance would be able to access (same network for example). SQL Server Express limits the number of connections, so it would depend on how many clients you had connecting
It would only be 1 user on 1 computer. The database would local so each computer would have its own standalone database not dependent on anyone else, however if I need to upgrade their software or backup their database, I don't have a way to do that currently.
I'm currently installing SQL Server 2008 Express to try and do what you are suggesting to see if that will work. It's just a little bothersome that someone would have to install this for the application to use an external database file.
If it is 1 user, 1 computer I would look into other solutions. Honestly, something like SQLite would probably be a more ideal solution, and you could keep the file separate from the application in the AppData folder. This would make upgrading easier, and potentially eliminate your problem with uninstallation. What does the schema look like and how much data are we talking?
|

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Start asking to get answers

Find the answer to your question by asking.

Ask question

Explore related questions

See similar questions with these tags.