Building a Visual studio project with access database - vb.net

Need some advice on the best way to go about this. I've finished my project and need to submit it for grading. This means it will need to be installed on the graders machine and will need to include the Access database that it's linked to.
What's the best way to do this?

You can deploy an MS Access database with ClickOnce.
MSDN Accessing Local and Remote Data in ClickOnce Applications
ClickOnce deployment of Access database
Can i use clickOnce to deploy MS Access database?

Related

How do I use a SharePoint List as a Data Source?

I'm creating a VB-based application in Virtual Studio 2013, and up until now I've been testing the tables used for its operation in a local MDF file. Obviously, I need to find a better solution for deployment as this will need to be used by multiple users. I decided to go with a SharePoint list for ease of access and better local control. (We have SharePoint Server 2010 running)
When I try to add a SharePoint Connection in the Server Explorer, it tells me I don't have Foundation or Server installed. Checking our corp's software request tool, I didn't find either of those. There's a 'SharePoint Designer' option, and another that sounds promising is 'Microsoft SSIS SharePoint List Adapters with SharePoint'. I couldn't find any info online about whether those would fit the bill. Would either of those serve the purpose of standing in for Foundation or Server? If not, I'm sure I could find a way to request Foundation but I'm sure that would add quite a bit of delay while they vet it for business use.
Also, if I install the necessary software for development on MY machine, will those dependencies be included in the executable so my clients wouldn't have to install those SharePoint tools as well?
If you want to access and manipulate with your sharepoint list from your code, you can look at Sharepoint CSOM. It allows you to remotely connect and proceed CRUD operations with sharepoint list.

Click-once SQL Server Express deployment

We are developing a small application that needs to have a local database installed on each users computer that will then sync up to the main database, via web services etc...
Anyways when we deploy the application on the users computer we want to use clickonce deployment. Now I have used this before but not attaching a SQL Server database. I know you can go to prerequisites in clickonce properties and click SQL Server Express.
Now the question is, when you have created your .mdf database file including stored procedures and all - how do you get this attached and setup automatically in the local database that is just installed through clickonce?
Also once this is finished in the future we may want to run updates to the database on the clients machines. We would like to use clickonce for this to publish database updates. Obviously we don't want to overwrite the database and just publish the latest updates based on if they already have the database or not and what version they have.
How could this be achieved using clickonce? Thanks

VB.NET Creating a local database in VS2013 or in SQL Server Management Studio

I am about to begin a personal project to build my skills in the .net environment. I am familiar with SQL Server Management Studio and how to create a database in it but I discovered how to make a local database in Visual Studio as well. My program is only going to require local database access as it will be used for individual inventory systems rather than connected ones. Am I ok to use the onboard tools in visual studio and create a local databasse or should I be using the SQL Server Management Studio?
When you use the Local Database item template in VS, it creates a SQL Server CE data file (SDF) and adds it to your project. When you use the Service-based Database item templete, it creates a SQL Server (Express) data file (MDF) and adds it to your project.
The advantage of using the VS tools is that the data file becomes part of your project and can therefore be easily deployed with the compiled application. As such, the database is basically part of the application.
If you choose SQL Server CE then you don't need a server installed on the user's local machine. They can install SQL Server CE or you can install it with your app if you want, but you also have the option of simply deploying a DLL with your app and it will work.
If you choose SQL Server Express then the user actually needs a SQL Server instance installed on their machine. To be honest, I'm not 100% sure whether that instance must be SQL Server Express or it can be a full SQL Server instance too. It would usually be SQL Server Express though, which you can install and even download automatically when you install your app, depending on the deployment method you choose.
If you use the VS tools to create an MDF data file then your connection string will contain the Data Source and AttachDbFilename attributes. The Data Source will generally be ".\SQLExpress", i.e. an instance named "SQLExpress" on the local machine. That instance name is not required, although it is the default for SQL Server Express, but it must be on the local machine. The MDF file gets attached at run time and detached again when you're app is done with it. It will also usually be attached to a user instance, which means that other users can't see it, even when it's attached. Note that, in later versions, the LocalDB feature of SQL Server may also be utilised.
If you create your database in Management Studio then it's not actually part of your app. It will be permanently attached to the SQL Server instance so, everyone will be able to see it and open it, assuming permissions allow. Creating the database during deployment will be an extra step in that case. You might create a backup and restore that during deployment or generate SQL scripts that get run. In this case, your connection string will contain the Initial Catalog attribute to specify the name of database to connect to, as well as the Data Source attribute. This option is required if you want multiple clients to be able to connect to the database.
In short, if you are only going to be accessing a database from the local instance of the one application then creating a database in VS is OK and probably a good idea. Whether you choose SQL Server CE or SQL Server Express may well depend on what level of functionality you need.

How to deploy VB.net application that uses VS Studio for desktop 2012 and MS SQL Server Management Studio 2008

I'm actually done doing the small-scale application for our office, however, I really don't have any idea how to deploy this one. Can someone provide me any links on how to do this? This project will be deployed in one pc.
If its a Windows application you need to create a setup project.
If its a web based application, install your application on your web server and provide clients with the appropriate link.

FTP Database to webhost server

I have written an asp.net mvc application that is connected to a Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio database and I want to deploy the application to the webhosting server now. I have managed to get the published code onto the server easily. However, I want to ftp the database I created in Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio to the server. Where are these created databases saved and is it possible to ftp the database to the server. The other issue is the web hosting server is using MS SQL Server Express is that a problem?
Normally shared hosts expect you to place the database in the App_Data folder and use it directly from there.
Here is a page to explain connecting to the database
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms247257.aspx
To find the database on your system open sql management studio right click the Database and click Properties on the Properties windows click on the Files section to show all associated files with your database.
I would recommend checking your providers documentaion though they might have specific requirments for database deployments