Can't add Local Database to project - visual-studio-2013

This might be a really dumb question... but in VS2013 when trying to add a local database to my Windows Forms Application Project the option is now shown in the C# items menu. The only DB that is available is a Service-Based DB. From what I understand, this is related to SQL Compact Edition but I do have SQL Server 2012 installed. Any ideas? Or are there any significant differences between the Local DB and Service-Based DB?

A service-based database is a database that is only accessed through a server. It uses an MDF data file, which is SQL Server format. To be able to connect to a SQL Server database the SQL Server service must be running, because it's that that processes your requests and access the data file.
A local database is one that is local to your application only. It uses an SDF data file, which is SQL Server CE (Compact Edition) format. There is no need to install a server to access an SDF database. You simply distribute the DLLs that constitute SSCE along with your app and access the data file directly.
You'd normally only use SSCE if the data was to be accessed by your app only and there was a relatively small amount of data. For your project you would use SQL Server. For testing purposes you can use the free Express Edition. When deployed you might still use SSEE or you might use a full version of SQL Server. Note that Microsoft include SSEE with their own RMS POS software. SSEE is limited to databases of 4GB though, so even if you start out with SSEE and it can handle the load, you may still have to upgrade at some point in the future based on data capacity.
Source of info:jmcilhinney post.
for help on creating the database have a look at this tutorial it may be of some help.
Hope this info helps you :)

It turns out VS2013 dropped the .sdf format.
Is Microsoft dropping support for SDF database files in Visual Studio?
The answer is yes: Microsoft is silently dropping support (as usual IMHO) to Sql Compact Edition.
It started abandoning Sql CE 3.5 in Vs2012 It continued dropping Sql CE in Sql Management Studio 2012 and finally in VS2013
You can use CompactView or install SQL Server Compact Toolbox extension in VS2013 or (my prefered solution) use Sql management Studio 2008
UPDATE thanks to Nicolas' comment
As stated by Microsoft:
SQL Server compact edition is in deprecation mode with no new releases planned near future. Last release SQL CE 4.0SP1 (and earlier releases that are still in the support cycle) will continue to be supported through its lifecycle and Microsoft is committed to fix any major, production blocking issues found in these releases.

Have you tried adding your local database from inside the project? Have a look and see if you can add your database from datasources.

Related

Would SQL Server Data Tools in Visual Studio 2015 allow Oracle DB connectivity?

I am using Oracle database for asp.Net web API application, I would like to build rdlc reports and I am not sure if SSDT for VS 2015 (SQL Server Data Tools in Visual Studio 2015) would allow Oracle database connectivity. If so, which version should I install?
Please advice what to install so that I can build rdlc reports.
Thanks
Nope. SSDT is strictly for SQL Server and when I asked last month, the team from Microsoft said that they have no intention of changing that.
It looks like you are talking about using SSDT to write reporting services reports against oracle rather than using SSDT to manage your oracle database. If I am right then you can create a connection to an oracle server:
See:
Data Sources Supported by Reporting Services (SSRS) - https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/ms159219.aspx
You would still need a reporting services (sql server) instance to run the reports on but you can do it.
If you actually mean managing your oracle database using ssdt (deploying tables, procedures etc) then comment here and i'll delete this :)
ed
The Oracle Data Access Components (ODAC) with Oracle Developer Tools (ODT) supports Oracle data providers for .NET. SSDT uses these providers to create connection managers to access Oracle data.
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/dotnet/utilsoft-086879.html

Importing Azure SQL database into Visual Studio 2013

I am setting up VS 2013 for development with Azure SQL Database (I am new to Azure). I have set up a database on Azure and a Solution on VS 2013. The local machine is Windows 8.1 Pro, with SQL server 2014 Express. I am trying to import the database on Azure into the VS solution. I have changed the Target platform on VS to “Microsoft Azure SQL Database”. I have checked that VS can see the Azure database by using “Test Connection” – all appears well.
When I start the Import Database, I get the following error:
You cannot import a 1025 database because you project’s target platform is set to 130. To learn more about changing your target platform and/or source database, or the supported database editions for specific target platforms, please refer to Import Schema help page.
I cannot find the help referred to in the error message. I have tried changing the target to SQL server 2014, no joy. Can anyone give me some pointers?
This issue could be SSDT version issue. Can you download and install the latest RTM or Preview version of SSDT from https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/mt204009.aspx
If you need to try out all GA and Preview features of Azure SQL DB, SSDT Preview would cover it. Otherwise SSDT RTM version will provide the stability.
For this:
Created the SQL project
Set target to Azure SQL
Instead of "Import" did "Synchronize"
The numbers refer to they type of sql installation, with 130 being 2014, and 1025 being the azure cloud. Exporting data from azure is a little more complicated than you would expect with a VM, because of the way SQL Azure works behind the scenes. First to literally answer your question here is the link to how to use the import export services so you can get the DB on your local 2014 install. However I imagine what you want to do is actually develop for that server without some painful import export process, which is why I think this link that talks about what tools to use might be more helpful.
Anyway, good luck, SQL azure is very much a product in it's infancy.
I was able to work around the problem by working from VS 2013 and creating the Db in VS and publishing to Azure following the tutorial:
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/documentation/articles/web-sites-dotnet-get-started/
I hope I will not need to import a Db in the future!
Thank you to all those that edited & answered. I hope to be able to return the favour.
Importing from Azure into a Sql Server Project works in Visual Studio 2015 with no issues.

How to integrate SQL Server 2008 R2 Reports on web site

I am creating a site that is mainly used to view reports. The database is SQL Server 2008 R2 Express with Reporting Services. I was thinking of using Business Intelligence Development Studion to create reports since it integrates well and is easy to use. The site does not exist yet as the reports are its main feature.
I started using Visual Web Developer 2010 for the site since I thought it would work well. A Microsoft rep recommended that I use Visual Studio 2012 since it's compatible with SQL Server 2008 R2 and is the latest version. HOWEVER, it seems that report integration was stopped since Visual Studio 2008.
What tools should I be using for my reports and site? The database must be Microsoft but I am flexible about everything else. I am looking for tools that work well with the database.
I also want to use source control software that is compatible/works well with whatever IDE/software I'm using. Any recommendations?
Right now, I am the sole developer. I want to be prepared to expand to a small team once the project is underway and I want to be set up right the first time!
If predefined reports is the main feature of your site, i recommend you to go a level higher and use some tool that let you create and design reports easily, like DBxtra.

Connecting to end user's SQL Express during installation

I have been writing SQL Compact C# winforms applications for a while now, with the help from all the wizards in Visual Studio. The database is created during development, and installed as-is. Then suddenly, I realise I actually have no clue how to connect to SQL Express on client's machine and install a database if I had to.
There are many examples on connection string and creating database in SQL Express via code (C# in my case) but I don't think that is what I am looking for.
If I develop an application that requires SQL Express. I know there's a feature in Visual Studio that detects and install SQL Express if it does not exist. However, how do I set up and install my database in SQL Express? Do I need to somehow get credentials somewhere?
You mention both SQL Server Compact Edition and SQL Server Express Edition; these are two different things, but for the case you've described you probably mean SQL Server Compact Edition.
SQL Server CE comes with the .Net Framework, so no install should be required. However, you will have to create a database. You can do that with SqlCeEngine.CreateDatabase().
EDIT
For SQL Server Express... to get a connection string from the user without them having to actually type in a connection string, you can use a data connection dialog: archive.msdn.microsoft.com/Connection

Quick deployment of Visual Studio 2010 app with SQL database

I am new to Visual Studio 2010, so please bear with me. Back in the days of using VB6 combined with an Access database, all I had to do was to use the Package & Deployment wizard and include the database file in the setup. Then all the client had to do was run one setup file and the application would magically run right away (the database would be placed in the App Path).
Is there some way to create a setup file in VS 2010 which will also install SQL Server Express automatically, attach the database along with the application itself?
This is meant for people who do not have SQL server installed and they should be able to start using the app by running one single setup.
Thanks!
Yes, your setup based on Windows Installer and built with Visual Studio itself can deploy everything you need. Read this article on MSDN for more details (maybe you won't need ClickOnce but it contains a lot of links).
I guess you need some clarification about your options (I assume you want to use a Microsoft solution because you talked about SQLExpress).
Microsoft SQL Server: fully featured database engine. It costs (a lot) and deployment isn't easy as we would.
Microsoft SQL Server Express: free edition (with some limits) of the big brother. Same installation issues. Perfect for medium desktop or web applications.
Microsoft LocalDB: single or multiple file, single user, support for stored procedures and advanced data types as in higher versions, easy to deploy and (optionally) per-user execution. Perfect for small/medium desktop applications and developing (with some preconditions with web applications too).
Microsoft SQL Server Compact 4.0: single file, single user, small, in-process, very easy to deploy. Perfect for small single user applications or used as local data storage (VS2k10 C++ Intellisense, for example, uses a SQLCE DB).
Microsoft JET Engine: the old beloved Access. If you come from VB6 I guess you know this.
If (and this is a big IF) your application is intended for a single user and you don't need data-sharing, now Microsoft provides a new version of SQLServer Express called LocalDB.
This version runs as standalone executable (isn't a service).
Its major advantage is the easy installation.
Search for LocalDB or look at my question LocalDB deployment

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