Good news for small application developers, Microsoft released compact version of SQLSERVER (SQLCE 4.0) for desktop ,web as well as for mobiles and recently with rel 4.0 it support ASP.Net.This embedded database format is a huge relief from cumbersome and hectic installation of sql server .Although this was from long back but its reliability and features introduced in 4.0 is awesome. So this post is all about SQLCE , its latest feature and a small how to to end up.
What is SQLCE and scenario to use?
Sql Server Compact Edition (SQLCE) is a embedded database with (1.7 to 2 Mb approx.) for Mobile, Desktop and Asp.Net based projects. Generally the target audience/project for SQLCE are
- Small/Mid level office application.
- For hassle free installation of Database (Copy and Paste option)
More detailed information can be found at SQLCE Team Blog
What is the Latest Version?
Latest Version: SQLCE 4.0 Download
As of Microsoft, SQL Server Compact 4.0 enables new scenarios and includes a host of new features, including the following:
- SQL Server Compact 4.0 is the default database for Microsoft WebMatrix,.
- For enhanced development and debugging capabilities, including designer support.
- Visual Studio can be used to develop ASP.NET web applications and websites using SQL Server Compact 4.0.
- Enabled to work in the medium or partial trust environments in the web servers
- Private deployment of SQL Server Compact further simplified by having all the required managed assemblies in a single private folder in the install location of SQL Server Compact.
- Stronger data security with the use of the SHA2 encryption algorithms for encrypting the databases.
- T-SQL syntax enhancement by adding support for OFFSET and FETCH that can be used to write paging queries and new APIs like SqlCeConnection.GetSchema that provides the metadata information of the database.
- Support for ADO.NET Entity Framework with the code-first programming model.
Some Facts:
- Supports Data up to 4 GB.
- File based code free Database
- Supports concurrent multiple connection.
- Runs in process of Application (Other MS sql Editions used to have separate services)
- SQL CE databases reside in a single .sdf file.
- The .sdf files / Database can be password protected as well as encrypted.
- SQL CE databases are ACID-compliant. Like Microsoft SQL Server,
- SQL CE supports transactions, referential integrity constraints, locking as well as multiple connections to the database store
Read more: C# Corner