Best practice configuring Visual Studio Solution for .SDF databases

Hello,

In our company we haven't tamed Visual Studio yet for the part of configuring

the application database. Therefore I was wondering if there is someone that

can give me hints or clues on what the best practice is for configuring Visual

Solution to handle an SDF database (SQLCE 3.0). I have search a bit on the

internet and this forum, but couldn't find a decent how-to or best practices

guide that copes with this specific problem.

As

a matter of facts, i am also curious for guidelines and tips on the best way to

configure and manage SQL Server databases under Visual Studio. I guess (read as

hope) that the configuration of a mobile and full blown

database will have some overlaps somehow.

I've found the Database Project which with to manage (Create/Alter) databases,

but is this also the best way to store versions of the database in an

source repository? Can such a project allow me to 'automagically' have a

correct database (so with tables and data) when i want to deploy or debug my

device application?

I am asking this because now our database designers and software engineers have

to do allot of manual actions to update the application with the most recent

database version. SDF databases are flying around all over the place, and in

order to test a specific version of the application, the related database has

to be copied manually on the device. We are not searching for replication

related solutions, nor adding the SDF itself to the source repository, but because

most of our applications are server-client based, it would be really super cool

if we could somehow couple both database definitions and generation together. My

feeling says me there ought to be some feature embedded somewhere deep into

Visual Studio that we missed that would (partially) simplify and automate this

whole process for us.

Another

related question is if it is possible to couple XSD generated datasets to an

SDF database. Is it possible to update the generated code (or the describing

XSD documents) from an SDF database? i again guess that this somehow should be

possible in oderder to keep both code and data in sync, and i do not like the

alternative to always update the XSD when the SDF architecture changes. Somehow

i cannot find out how to do this. i was initially searching for the other way

around: Use an XSD to generate both the DataSet codewrappers and the database

itself.

Any

information is welcome and many thanks in advance!

Peter

Vrenken

Too bad there is no one that can give more information

regarding these issues. Can I assume that allot of people/companies haven’t got

a decent SDF database (configuration) setup or thought about it?

I would really like to open a dialog about these issues. Anyone

wants to join me?

Greetings from the rainy Netherlands,

Peter Vrenken

|||Do all you developers out there have got a decent database setup or never thought about it yet? I am hoping that VTS will solve some of the riddles for us but until that time i would really like to know how other companies manage their SDF databases.

Is there not a single developer (maybe a MVP) that wants to shed some light on it and describe how he does it (or how it should be done)?

Thanks in advance,

Peter Vrenken|||I used to put an .mdb in vss. No reason why this couldn't be done with the .sdf|||Hello and thanks for your response!

I know that as of VS2K5 SP1 the management of .SDF files from within a solution has been greatly enhanced.
You say that you ‘used’ to put an .mdb in VSS. Is this because you found a better solution?

Peter Vrenken|||Peter, there are several questions here and I'll try to help where I can. As I understand your issues you're trying to build SDF databases in a way that can be better managed through developer tools like Visual Studio. At this point VS can help, but not as much as it could. The VS team is working on an updated version of the tools that can address some (but not nearly all) of your issues. The SQL Server Management Studio can also do more to help in this regard. As far as scripting, there is little to no support in any of the tools. I too felt your frustration so I wrote my first EBook to supplement my just completed Hitchhiker's Guide to Visual Studio and SQL Server (7th Edition). This is available at WWW.Hitchhikerguides.net. In the book I walk through the process of creating a database using a script reader that I wrote (and provide with the book), with replication and using the APIs. I expect it will help answer many more of your questions.|||"Used to" only in that I no longer use .mdb files.

I moved to MSDE where I kept the create scripts in vss.

I have migrated these to SQL Express (with the scipts in vss) but am now working on a new application with CE. Unfortunately the scripting that was created from SQL Server Management Tool does not work with CE so I am planning on using vss.

Best practice configuring Visual Studio Solution for .SDF databases

Hello,

In our company we haven't tamed Visual Studio yet for the part of configuring

the application database. Therefore I was wondering if there is someone that

can give me hints or clues on what the best practice is for configuring Visual

Solution to handle an SDF database (SQLCE 3.0). I have search a bit on the

internet and this forum, but couldn't find a decent how-to or best practices

guide that copes with this specific problem.

As

a matter of facts, i am also curious for guidelines and tips on the best way to

configure and manage SQL Server databases under Visual Studio. I guess (read as

hope) that the configuration of a mobile and full blown

database will have some overlaps somehow.

I've found the Database Project which with to manage (Create/Alter) databases,

but is this also the best way to store versions of the database in an

source repository? Can such a project allow me to 'automagically' have a

correct database (so with tables and data) when i want to deploy or debug my

device application?

I am asking this because now our database designers and software engineers have

to do allot of manual actions to update the application with the most recent

database version. SDF databases are flying around all over the place, and in

order to test a specific version of the application, the related database has

to be copied manually on the device. We are not searching for replication

related solutions, nor adding the SDF itself to the source repository, but because

most of our applications are server-client based, it would be really super cool

if we could somehow couple both database definitions and generation together. My

feeling says me there ought to be some feature embedded somewhere deep into

Visual Studio that we missed that would (partially) simplify and automate this

whole process for us.

Another

related question is if it is possible to couple XSD generated datasets to an

SDF database. Is it possible to update the generated code (or the describing

XSD documents) from an SDF database? i again guess that this somehow should be

possible in oderder to keep both code and data in sync, and i do not like the

alternative to always update the XSD when the SDF architecture changes. Somehow

i cannot find out how to do this. i was initially searching for the other way

around: Use an XSD to generate both the DataSet codewrappers and the database

itself.

Any

information is welcome and many thanks in advance!

Peter

Vrenken

Too bad there is no one that can give more information

regarding these issues. Can I assume that allot of people/companies haven’t got

a decent SDF database (configuration) setup or thought about it?

I would really like to open a dialog about these issues. Anyone

wants to join me?

Greetings from the rainy Netherlands,

Peter Vrenken

|||Do all you developers out there have got a decent database setup or never thought about it yet? I am hoping that VTS will solve some of the riddles for us but until that time i would really like to know how other companies manage their SDF databases.

Is there not a single developer (maybe a MVP) that wants to shed some light on it and describe how he does it (or how it should be done)?

Thanks in advance,

Peter Vrenken|||I used to put an .mdb in vss. No reason why this couldn't be done with the .sdf|||Hello and thanks for your response!

I know that as of VS2K5 SP1 the management of .SDF files from within a solution has been greatly enhanced.
You say that you ‘used’ to put an .mdb in VSS. Is this because you found a better solution?

Peter Vrenken|||Peter, there are several questions here and I'll try to help where I can. As I understand your issues you're trying to build SDF databases in a way that can be better managed through developer tools like Visual Studio. At this point VS can help, but not as much as it could. The VS team is working on an updated version of the tools that can address some (but not nearly all) of your issues. The SQL Server Management Studio can also do more to help in this regard. As far as scripting, there is little to no support in any of the tools. I too felt your frustration so I wrote my first EBook to supplement my just completed Hitchhiker's Guide to Visual Studio and SQL Server (7th Edition). This is available at WWW.Hitchhikerguides.net. In the book I walk through the process of creating a database using a script reader that I wrote (and provide with the book), with replication and using the APIs. I expect it will help answer many more of your questions.|||"Used to" only in that I no longer use .mdb files.

I moved to MSDE where I kept the create scripts in vss.

I have migrated these to SQL Express (with the scipts in vss) but am now working on a new application with CE. Unfortunately the scripting that was created from SQL Server Management Tool does not work with CE so I am planning on using vss.

best install scenario

In the current MSDN Universal disk set, there is a disk for Visual Studio
2005 (beta2) and a disk for SQL Server 2005. If you install VS2005 you get
the April CTP SQL server but without Server Management Studio. If you
install SQL Server 2005, you get VS2005 but without the normal code
development templates. What's the recommended install sequence to get both?
And after several install/uninstall sequences I seem to have lost start menu
links to VS.Net 2003. Can I have VS.Net 2003 and VS.Net 2005 on the same
machine?
tks
RonHi Ron,
Since SQL Server 2005 has not been public released yet, we will redirect
all SQL Server 2005 posts to the newsgroup below
http://communities.microsoft.com/newsgroups/default.asp?icp=sqlserver2005&sl
cid=us
Thanks so much for your understanding.
Sincerely yours,
Michael Cheng
Microsoft Online Partner Support
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others may learn and benefit from your issue.
=====================================================This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

best install scenario

In the current MSDN Universal disk set, there is a disk for Visual Studio
2005 (beta2) and a disk for SQL Server 2005. If you install VS2005 you get
the April CTP SQL server but without Server Management Studio. If you
install SQL Server 2005, you get VS2005 but without the normal code
development templates. What's the recommended install sequence to get both?
And after several install/uninstall sequences I seem to have lost start menu
links to VS.Net 2003. Can I have VS.Net 2003 and VS.Net 2005 on the same
machine?
tks
RonHi Ron,
Since SQL Server 2005 has not been public released yet, we will redirect
all SQL Server 2005 posts to the newsgroup below
http://communities.microsoft.com/ne...qlserver2005&sl
cid=us
Thanks so much for your understanding.
Sincerely yours,
Michael Cheng
Microsoft Online Partner Support
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others may learn and benefit from your issue.
========================================
=============
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

best install scenario

In the current MSDN Universal disk set, there is a disk for Visual Studio
2005 (beta2) and a disk for SQL Server 2005. If you install VS2005 you get
the April CTP SQL server but without Server Management Studio. If you
install SQL Server 2005, you get VS2005 but without the normal code
development templates. What's the recommended install sequence to get both?
And after several install/uninstall sequences I seem to have lost start menu
links to VS.Net 2003. Can I have VS.Net 2003 and VS.Net 2005 on the same
machine?
tks
Ron
Hi Ron,
Since SQL Server 2005 has not been public released yet, we will redirect
all SQL Server 2005 posts to the newsgroup below
http://communities.microsoft.com/new...lserver2005&sl
cid=us
Thanks so much for your understanding.
Sincerely yours,
Michael Cheng
Microsoft Online Partner Support
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others may learn and benefit from your issue.
================================================== ===
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

benefits of SQL Server 2000

Could someone hit the high points of the benefits of using SQL Server (vs. other databases) with Visual Studio .NET and the .NET Framework.

ThanksThe biggest benefit is that Sql Server and MSDE have the greatest degree of integration with VS.Net and the .Net Framework. Having MSDE available is also a big plus because it makes it easy to deploy small scale applications using essentially the same database as Sql Server.

But the other major database products will work just fine with VS.Net.|||I don't mean to sound lazy, but could someone give me specifics such as examples of integration with VS.NET and functionality accomplished using SQL Server with .NET Framework. I'm trying to sell these products and was hoping to get out of doing all of the background research. I've used these products but I would like other people's opinions.

Thanks|||Wouldn't you be better able to sell them if you did the research yourself and had a better handle on the product?|||I'm trying to "sell" them as a platform to my company and would like examples that can be backed up by others, not just my own opinions.|||You might consider using come of the Case Studies as part of your research.

Microsoft Case Studies

Terri

beginning SQL

Hello, I would like to be able to construct a small SQL data base with Visual Basic.Net code for practice. I want to be able to add to the data base, subtract from the data base, perform all Sql procedures ( Select, delete, etc.) I would also like to include the ExecuteNonQuery, ExecuteScalar, and ExecuteReader methods. Can anybody out there recommend a good tutorial for me? Thank you so much. MarcAbelson_2000@.yahoo.com

These resources should be useful for your learning:

http://www.asp.net/learn/

http://www.asp.net/learn/data-access/

http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/sql/learning/default.aspx

http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/sql/starterkit/default.aspx

Beginner to SQL server 2005 Express Edition

Hi,

I am fairly new to Visual Studio 2005 (using C#) and am writing an application for the company I work in. I have got a really nice functioning form working and am now planning what to do about the massive database I need to create (I don't think it will ever get to the 4GB limitation of SQL Server 2005 Express Edition).

Can someone please help with some simple questions please?

1: I am decoding a specific file format and extracting the information for the main database. Fortunately, each record in the data file I am decoding has unique identity codes (so this will be great for the ID of each entry). Because the software has to do this by itself (the encoded file contains more than 1,120,000 records which will shrink to about 30,000 records, all different sizes once decoded). Can each record in a SQL server database contain a different number of elements? If so, what is this known as (I have read a little about jagged arrays - is there a similar thing in SQL server databases)?

2: As the program will decode the file and assemble the database, can I make my program create the database from scratch and manipulate the database rather than me having to define a database for my program to fill? If so, where can I find some info on doing this?

3: The database file will be stored on our office network and has to be accessible to more than one person at a time (in this case, a maximum of 6 users - well within the 25 users my book says is possible with SSE2005). Is it more complex to develop multi-user access to the database?

Just in case you wonder what books I have got, they are "Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2005 for Developers" and "Getting Started with SQL Server 2005 Express Edition".

Thank you!

1. Yes and No. You can store the information for the missing columns as NULL, but your code will have to handle that, and the columns will need to be nullable. If the file is in a standard format (eg a spreadsheet, or a csv file), you can use DTS (or SSIS in 2005) to load the file. That would be easier than writing a custom application to load the file.

2. You can build a dynamic sql statement based on the columns and column types of the tables you want to build. However, it would be easier and safer to define the database beforehand. Building tables is easy enough, just make sure you define the relationships in the correct order, and then load the data in that order aswell. You may want to leave defining relationships until after the data is loaded, just make sure the data is concurrent.

3. I am not sure, I don't know too much about this. The database schema itself would not have to be changed, you would just have to create SQL server user accounts for each user, or use windows integrated security which is much easier to set up. Then ensure they can connect to the server which the SQL server instance is based upon.

As this is a new product, you may learn more useful and up-to-date information from the books online. Microsoft are still offering a free e-learning course on 2005:

https://www.microsoftelearning.com/sqlserver2005/default.aspx

I have used parts of it and found it useful. Books tend to be overly wordy, whereas the e-learning courses get to the point quicker.

|||

Thank you,

Your reply will help me decide where to go next.

The file I am importing is not a straight-forward data file. It is a custom file format used by the British railway industry and some code is necessary to read in the data, join some elements to form a list, then the list will be placed into the database.

The database will have some fixed elements to start with, but will then be followed by my decoded list. The decoded list will contain a different number of entries. Some lists may contain around 10 entries. Some may contain as many as 200 entries.

Sean.

beginner setting up to code in VB

Hey everyone. I'm trying to set up the free microsoft sql 2000 server desktop engine so I can create databases in visual basic using ADO. I would like to do this locally, not over the network or anything. I'm on windows 98. the steps I took are:

1. I downloaded the ms 2000 server desktop engine (msde2000a.exe)
2. Downloaded the .net framework and installed that (version 1.1)
3. Extracted the desktop engine setup to a directory
4. browsed to that directory in DOS prompt and typed 'setup SAPWD="AStrongSAPwd" ... and then it installed
5. opened ODBC Data sources in the control panel
6. in the user DSN tab i highlighted "MQIS" and then pressed 'configure'
7. Pressed 'next' with the default values for all the fields: (name=MQIS, Description=SQL Server' Server=(local) )
8. with the radio button "with sql server authentication.." selected i click on 'client configuration'
9. after i click on that a box comes up saying 'add network library configuration'.

so.. i'm confused on this part.. What should i put for 'server alias' and 'server name'? I want to do this locally. I tried putting my local IP address and the word (local) but after i press 'OK' and then 'Next' (in that previous window that displays the client configuration button) i get an error that says:

Connection failed:
SQLState: '01000'
SQL Server Error: 10061
[Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][Shared Memory]ConnectionOpen (Connect())
Connection failed:
SQLState: '08001'
SQL Server Error: 17
[Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][Shared Memory]SQL Server does not exist or access denied

So.. how do I set up my computer to be able to use the engine locally? I have the vbcode I want to work. It consists of creating a database using the "provider=SQLOLEDB..." line. I can submit the code if anyone wants to see. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!By the way, i DO NOT have SQL Server installed. I was thinking the engine would sort of be like MS Access where you don't actually need Microsoft Access installed to do database manipulation because the Access Jet Engine is built into windows. So I figured installing the SQL Server engine would do the same thing for me. Is this correct? Or is it mandatory that I have SQL Server installed?|||You will definitely need to have SQL Server installed, it won't ship as part of the OS until LongHorn. You can buy the developer edition for about $50, and you get MSDE (the engine alone, like Jet is to MS-Access) included with any of Microsoft's Professional level developer products.

-PatP

beginner question: which MS SQL server I need to use for Visual Studio 2005

Hi: I am trying to install Visual Studio 2005, but before that I need install MS SQL Server for my database, what kind of MS SQL server I need install, how about "MS SQL 2005 Express Edition"? Or I have to install "MS SQL 2005"?Can you please give a link for the download.Thanks.James

It is totally depends on you (e.g. what type of operating system you use and how big your project or application is?)

Express: is free, you can distribute it with your application, it has some limitation (e.g. Max database size is 4 GB + has limited number of concruunt connections) but such limitation might not be big deal for some small or stand alone application.

Anyway,.. here is a comparision of sql server editions which will help you to decide which one is good for your case:

http://www.microsoft.com/sql/prodinfo/features/compare-features.mspx

Good luck.

Beginner Q: Pocket PC access to SQL Server 2005

Hi,

I am a total beginner to Pocket PC, and a 2-month beginner to SQL Server 2005 and Visual Studio 2005. I made a database Pillbox.mdf, and wrote a Windows Forms program to access it. It's really easy. I just added a Data Source, chose tables and Stored Procedures, and dragged them onto my forms. It automatically created adapter classes and a DataGrid for me.

Next, I wanted to do the same thing for Pocket PC. I did the same drag and drop thing, and was happy to see the empty DataGrid in the emulator (design-time) form. From here on, trouble. When I ran it, it said it could not connect.

So some questions:

1) Does my connection string have to change? It has 3 parts: machine name, database name, and security spec. It specifies my machine name. Is that ok? Is it known by the Pocket PC, or do I have to specify http something? Does my machine have to change any settings to become a "server"? It's just a standalone PC with no network. I understand the emulator chooses to pretend that it's not "on" my computer. Is the database name known by the Pocket PC? (Same type of question.) And is Windows authentication ok on a Pocket PC? Or must I create a name/password pair on SQL server?

2) When I went to modify my connection string, I noticed a setting to specify the Data source. For SQL Server 2005, it asks me for a dbo, but for SQL Server Mobile, it asks me for a *.sdf file. What type of file is this? Is there a way to generate this from my other database? Is it not possible to have the the Pocket PC app point to the same database as the Windows app? Oh... does the sdf represent the Pocket PC's local database? If so, then my question is just how to populate it. But I will also have to update the main database at some point. I guess I'm confused about how Pocket PC's are supposed to work.

3) Do I have to deploy SQL CE or something? I think I read that Visual Studio does it automatically. It's a bit hard reading blogs because many comments talk about things that are now contained in VS. One blog was talking about 7 dlls that need to be downloaded to the Pocket PC.

4) My application just has to get a table, store it on the Pocket PC, and allow the user to modify and update records. The bandwidth should be low, as the table is small and updates should not be frequent. Is this a reasonable design? What I am asking is if it's ok to have direct database access, or if I should package up the data in some custom format, and use a Web service to pass the data back and forth. I have read and understood articles why you should not pass a Dataset in a web service, but the point was just that web services can be interoperable, so why spoil that with MS-only Datasets. In my case, I just want to get this simple app up and running quickly.

Thanks in advance.

[Excuse me for the late response]

Make sure of the following:

1) You have Remote Connetions enabled to SQL Server 2005. Please use Surface Area Configuration and enable TCP/IP and Named Pipes.

2) You do not need SQL CE/Mobile. If you are having app directly to work with SQL Server 2005. However, here the assumption is that you use app only when you have connection to SQL Server 2005.

However, I have some questions for you:

1) You said your app needs to get the table from SQL Server 2005 and store it on device. But in what form you want to store. That is where SQL Mobile helps you. SQL Mobile is a tiny SQL database management on devices. Please go through http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=295034&SiteID=1 and you will have lots of information to know about SQL Mobile.

Thanks,

Laxmi Narsimha Rao ORUGANTI, MSFT, SQL Mobile, Microsoft Corporation

Beginner Q: Pocket PC access to SQL Server 2005

Hi,

I am a total beginner to Pocket PC, and a 2-month beginner to SQL Server 2005 and Visual Studio 2005. I made a database Pillbox.mdf, and wrote a Windows Forms program to access it. It's really easy. I just added a Data Source, chose tables and Stored Procedures, and dragged them onto my forms. It automatically created adapter classes and a DataGrid for me.

Next, I wanted to do the same thing for Pocket PC. I did the same drag and drop thing, and was happy to see the empty DataGrid in the emulator (design-time) form. From here on, trouble. When I ran it, it said it could not connect.

So some questions:

1) Does my connection string have to change? It has 3 parts: machine name, database name, and security spec. It specifies my machine name. Is that ok? Is it known by the Pocket PC, or do I have to specify http something? Does my machine have to change any settings to become a "server"? It's just a standalone PC with no network. I understand the emulator chooses to pretend that it's not "on" my computer. Is the database name known by the Pocket PC? (Same type of question.) And is Windows authentication ok on a Pocket PC? Or must I create a name/password pair on SQL server?

2) When I went to modify my connection string, I noticed a setting to specify the Data source. For SQL Server 2005, it asks me for a dbo, but for SQL Server Mobile, it asks me for a *.sdf file. What type of file is this? Is there a way to generate this from my other database? Is it not possible to have the the Pocket PC app point to the same database as the Windows app? Oh... does the sdf represent the Pocket PC's local database? If so, then my question is just how to populate it. But I will also have to update the main database at some point. I guess I'm confused about how Pocket PC's are supposed to work.

3) Do I have to deploy SQL CE or something? I think I read that Visual Studio does it automatically. It's a bit hard reading blogs because many comments talk about things that are now contained in VS. One blog was talking about 7 dlls that need to be downloaded to the Pocket PC.

4) My application just has to get a table, store it on the Pocket PC, and allow the user to modify and update records. The bandwidth should be low, as the table is small and updates should not be frequent. Is this a reasonable design? What I am asking is if it's ok to have direct database access, or if I should package up the data in some custom format, and use a Web service to pass the data back and forth. I have read and understood articles why you should not pass a Dataset in a web service, but the point was just that web services can be interoperable, so why spoil that with MS-only Datasets. In my case, I just want to get this simple app up and running quickly.

Thanks in advance.

[Excuse me for the late response]

Make sure of the following:

1) You have Remote Connetions enabled to SQL Server 2005. Please use Surface Area Configuration and enable TCP/IP and Named Pipes.

2) You do not need SQL CE/Mobile. If you are having app directly to work with SQL Server 2005. However, here the assumption is that you use app only when you have connection to SQL Server 2005.

However, I have some questions for you:

1) You said your app needs to get the table from SQL Server 2005 and store it on device. But in what form you want to store. That is where SQL Mobile helps you. SQL Mobile is a tiny SQL database management on devices. Please go through http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=295034&SiteID=1 and you will have lots of information to know about SQL Mobile.

Thanks,

Laxmi Narsimha Rao ORUGANTI, MSFT, SQL Mobile, Microsoft Corporation

beginner in MSDE

Hello
Two questions:
I have installed the MSDE included on the Visual Studio NET, I use the tools in Visual to create data bases, but what other interface can I use to create MSDE data bases if I don't have SQL Server neither access ?
I create a view in a database with the following command:
SELECT ind_emp, lastName + firstName AS name FROM employee
when I try to run the view I received a message that says "operator ADD is not valid to use with texts champs" Why is that?
Thanks a lot
hi Carmen,
"Carmen" <anonymous@.discussions.microsoft.com> ha scritto nel messaggio
news:D15E830D-7C49-46D8-8F27-E737000A399E@.microsoft.com...
> Hello
> Two questions:
> I have installed the MSDE included on the Visual Studio NET, I use the
tools in Visual to create data bases, but what other interface can I use to
create MSDE data bases if I don't have SQL Server neither access ?
> I create a view in a database with the following command:
> SELECT ind_emp, lastName + firstName AS name FROM employee
> when I try to run the view I received a message that says "operator ADD is
not valid to use with texts champs" Why is that?
> Thanks a lot
>
in order to manage MSDE instance in a visual way, you can have a look at a
free prj of mine, available at the link following my sign.m which provides a
user interface similar to Enterprise Manager..
further tools are listed at
http://www.microsoft.com/sql/msde/partners/default.asp and
http://www.aspfaq.com/show.asp?id=2442
as regard your second question, you can not concatenate text and blob
columns like that..
anyway, you probably have to change the datatype for your lastName +
firstName columns to VARCHAR datatype..
hth
Andrea Montanari (Microsoft MVP - SQL Server)
http://www.asql.biz/DbaMgr.shtmhttp://italy.mvps.org
DbaMgr2k ver 0.7.0 - DbaMgr ver 0.53.0
(my vb6+sql-dmo little try to provide MS MSDE 1.0 and MSDE 2000 a visual
interface)
-- remove DMO to reply