4 replies to this topic

[traughber]

Hi. I'm new to C# and mostly programming in general. I have been writing SQL and working with SQL Server as a systems analyst for 13 years so I'm comfortable there plus I've written a little VBA here and there. Otherwise... newbie. Here's my question. I'm creating a C# Winform app in Visual Studio 2008 that I eventually want to distribute to other people for personal use. These other people are not in the same building or on the same network. I've been using SQL Server for the data, but how would I distribute that? I assume that I can't. I obviously don't want to require them to install SQL Express. So how do you create distributable apps for personal consumption? What do you use for the data? How do apps like DVD Profiler or Evernote store their data? Thanks in advance.

[PGP_Protector]

If they're just going to be keeping their own personal copy of the data you can use something like SQLite, it's a self contained SQL server emulator that will save the data in a File that you access via SQL commands.

I use it in a few apps I've got for Configurations & Calibration data, and it works quite well.

ETA:
http://www.sqlite.org/

[traughber]

Thanks for the quick reply PGP_Protector. That sounds like a great way to go. Much appreciated.

[gokuajmes]

well you actually give them the database file.The file is installed with the C# application you create & then document the application on further configuring with SQllite emulation engine

[BuckAMayzing]

There is an alternate option if you're offering this application for sale. Simply run a server, and give each user their own database. Then you can simply have each user login and store their data at your location. It's also a GREAT option if you want to require a yearly license or some kind of service subscription.