What Database/file structure to use??

[Guest]

Hi,
I have written an app in vb.net using VS.NET 2003 that runs on a handheld
scanner tht runs Windows CE. For the database, through wireless it attaches
to a server running MS SQL Server. All is good.

Now I need to write an app for a handheld running Win CE that is not
wireless, batch only. I guess I will write it in VB.NEt also with VS.NET
2003, but a little lost on what to use as the data structure. I will have a
few tables the validating the input. So they will need updated everytime it
is put in the cradle from the P.C. It will scan in transaction, and need to
transmit them to the P.C. everytime it is put in the cradle. I understand
you can run a CE version of MS SQL, but didn't really go there.

What are my options? I need something that I can read from the vb.net app,
and something that is easily transimitted back and forth to the P.C.

Any information is appriciated.
Thanks,
Steve

 

[Darren Shaffer]

what you're looking for is called SQL Server 2000 Windows CE edition
(SQL CE) or the very latest version SQL Server 2005 Mobile Edition
(SQL Mobile).

Start here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/mobility/sqlmobile/default.aspx

As you work with these, if you need help, there is an MSDN forum
devoted to SQL CE and SQL Mobile that I moderate here:

http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowForum.aspx?ForumID=152&SiteID=1

--
Darren Shaffer
..NET Compact Framework MVP
Principal Architect
Connected Innovation
www.connectedinnovation.com

 

[Guest]

Darren,
Thanks for the reply. A quick question about SQL CE. Is there an 'MSDE'
version that you can download for one device, or is there a cost associated
with it. (Client is kind of tight)
Otherwise, it sounds like this would work fine, especially if there is a
smooth way of transfering the tables back and forth.

But I would like to know if I can just do a keyed read and write to text
files from the vb.net app. For as small as my little app is as far as data
concerns, I really didn't want to have to set MS SQL up.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[John T]

What are my options? I need something that I can read from the vb.net
app, and something that is easily transimitted back and forth to the
P.C.

I had a similar situation I wrote about a couple weeks ago:
<http://groups.google.com/group/micr...ctframework/search?q=portable+database+choice>

--
John T
http://tknowlogy.com/TknoFlyer
http://www.pocketgear.com/products_search.asp?developerid=4415
Reduce spam. Use Sender Policy Framework: http://spf.pobox.com
____________________

 

[Guest]

John,
That was a great post. Thanks a lot.
Sometimes I shy away a little bit from selling a solution when I have not
used it before. Otherwise, I end up giving away a lot of time for the
learning curve and troubleshooting.
Sounds like SQLite is fairly simple to get your arms around though?
Thanks
Steve

 

[John T]

Sounds like SQLite is fairly simple to get your arms around though?

If you're comfortable with "standard" .NET data models, using the SQLite
provider I mentioned will be very simple for you. Spending 2-4 hours
investigating it is worth your time, in my opinion.

If you already have IIS, SQL Server and available licenses, using SQL Mobile
and syncing with RDA may work well for you, too. In my experience, setting
up RDA isn't terribly difficult, but it isn't exactly the simplest thing
I've done, either.

--
John T
http://tknowlogy.com/TknoFlyer
http://www.pocketgear.com/products_search.asp?developerid=4415
Reduce spam. Use Sender Policy Framework: http://spf.pobox.com
____________________