Local databases in Windows 8, post-release - sql

Now that windows 8 has been released, I am under the impression that a greater variety of ways for developers to use local databases in metro apps is now available to us (SQL Express LocalDB?). Up until now I have using the SQLite3 version that runs on windows 8, but know that I can I want to try and use the database features built in to Visual Studio 2012 (Won't this be better?)
To do this I am trying to follow the documentation on MSDN (here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms233763) however when I go to Project > Add New Item, I don't have a "Service-Based Database" option. What am I missing? Is there another component I need to install, or do I have it all completely wrong? I haven't used any of the sample databases mention in the documentation because I wanted to add it straight into my app. I'm using VS2012 Pro.

The Windows 8 app store api does not have any built-in database capabilities. Microsoft really wants you to use cloud storage. The documentation you're trying to follow is for windows 8 desktop applications not windows 8 store applications. You're probably best off using sqlite for the foreseeable future.

Related

How to move a windows .net runtime frontend application to the cloud (it uses a local sql server backend database)

I had a engineer design our .net application back in 2009, my guess is that it was coded using visual studio, and all I have is the installer application. We have been using it on our 1 or 2 local client machines very well for the past few years, but now I want to move this front end to the cloud. Instead of installing it as an application on our windows 7 machines.
It is a very simple application used in our small warehouse that keeps track of cargo/shipments etc. It uses Sql Server 2008 Express as a backend which is stored locally.
I know how to get the database in the cloud, their are many options for that, using Amazon or Azure, but how do i get the local client application to the cloud?
I dont have access to the visual studio code, i just have the runtime executable file..
I am sure there is no way to do this, and many of SO users will say i need to re-write the front end.
I have tried to contact the developer and they hav since closed down. Is their anyway i can run this in the cloud?
I welcome all options and solutions!
Thanks.
I believe you have two options for hosting this application:
If you are able to configure the database connection string, you could host the database in the cloud, and distribute the application to your end users. However, you've already stated that you know how to move the database, so I assume this isn't an option.
The only alternative is to run the entire application on a cloud server, and send the user interface to a client using terminal services. This makes it appear as if the application is running locally on the user's computer, while it is actually running on the server.
For an off-the-shelf solution to achieve this, you could consider using Microsoft's RemoteApp Azure service. I'm sure there are other similar offerings available.

How To Query A Remote Index From Windows 8

I have a machine running Windows 2008 Server using the built-in Windows Indexing functionality. I have a separate machine running Windows 8. I need to query the Windows 2008 index from the Windows 8 machine. I used to be able to do this using the MSIDXS provider but this is no longer in option in Windows 8.
Is there a new way to deal with this scenario? My internet searches haven't turned up much.
Windows Store apps use contracts and extensions to enable communications between apps and between an app and Windows. More info on the subject here. I haven't worked with MSIDXS provider, but from what you described, you will not be able to access the data residing on a server directly as you would before.
One option is to expose the index data as a service to your Windows Store app. This is probably not optimized for your case, but it is a general approach to consider when you need to communicate with resources outside of your Windows Store app.

Will metro style windows 8 apps support local database access?

I want to build a metro style win 8 app which needs to access a local database (installed on the users pc) of information such as sql express.
The current beta builds of win 8 dont seem to support that. Has Microsoft released any info on whether this will be supported? Something like ado.net, entity framework, linq sql?
No, Windows 8 Metro style apps will not support connecting to a local database. That is to say, you will not be able to use a kind of connectionstring where you can say connect to server X. This has to do with the "Market store" principle that applications should work out of the box without configuring a database connection.
Probably there will be support for a local database as in Windows Phone 7 (SQL CE) with Linq to sql on top of it.
If you would like to access a database that's in a central location, than you will have to expose the data from the database with webservices which can be consumed by your metro style application.

How do I use a database in Windows Mobile 6.5

I am currently developing an application for a Motorola enterprise mobility device which has Windows Mobile 6.5. I am developing the application using Visual Studio 2008 Mobile Development Kit using C#.
My problem is this :
I want to use a database for this application. But I have no idea how to use a database in a mobile device. I tried googling and even searching on this site but could not find a proper way to do it. While searching how to do this I came across this "SQL Anywhere Developer Edition" but I have no idea about it.
Could you please suggest the best way to have a database in the mobile application itself (not using client like SQL Server in the mobile) or any other way.
You want Microsoft SQL Server Compact 3.5 for Windows Mobile.

source control with VB2005 Express

Can anyone suggest a good source control system that interfaces with VB2005 Express? As the Express editions of Visual Studio do not allow add-ins does this mean that I will not be able to integrate source control into the IDE? I'm used to the check-in/check-out process of SourceSafe integrated into VB6. Can anyone recommend TortoiseSVN as an alternative?
TortoiseSVN is a good choice. Although it won't integrate into the IDE (because of the plug-in problem you mentioned), it's really solid in the Explorer right-button menu.
Also consider Vault from SourceGear. If you're used to SourceSafe, Vault will be easier to learn; Vault was specifically designed for ex-SourceSafe users.
Take a look at Perforce. It is lightning fast, rock solid, simple to use and configure, and has features to support pretty much any source control scenario.
If you are working on your own (which seems likely, given that you are using VB 2k5 Express), it is free for up to two users. If / when you switch to VS Pro, it has very good integration, and on its own it has several excellent clients and Windows Explorer integration.
I would recommend using Tortoise and do version control through Windows Explorer.
I actually prefer that to Ankh in VS2008.
I use TortoiseSVN and windows explorer for all my development projects and believe it works great. I started with SourceSafe, but when I changed jobs I went to an SVN shop and have now incorporated it into my own development projects. You can also use Source Safe without integration. You use Source Safe to check in/out files in a folder and then manage it outside the IDE. While this isn't as "simple" it may work just fine for certain projects. I use a hosted SVN provider, you may want to check them out: Hosted-Projects.
No, Source Control systems can't be integrated with the VS Express IDEs by design.
If you want to continue using your existing VSS, you're best option is to upgrade to Visual Studio Standard. Otherwise, check out TortoiseSVN. Here's a good quick start:
http://www.polymorphicpodcast.com/shows/subversion/