Solution distribution

Question

Hey

I finally made my first "serious" application that will be distributed to a user. But since this is the first application that uses a SQL database, I know that the application will not be able to connect to the server (since I was using a local server on my computer), but I don't know how to solve this problem, so can you please help me with this. Is it possible to configure the users computer to work with the existing code (I have the permission to do that), or will I have to change the code of my application to fit the users computer. Also what software (like SQL server and Framework) does the user computer has to have to support this application.
Thanks

Sam Hobbs · Answer

Putting the connections string in a plain text ("notepad") file is not typical and is not the way Microsoft has designed the software to do. It can be done but Microsoft has had many years and thousands of systems to learn from. I recommend reading relevant articles in this web site to best leverage the experience and knowledge of many experienced developers. Look for articles about deploying, publishing or installing an application andor creating a setup for an applicaiton. Those are the terms that are most used for "distributing" an application. The most typical solution is to put the connection string in a property/setting. .Net has classes for reading and writing properties. You can use the existing classes and IDE designer to manage connection strings and that will minimize the amoutn of work you do. Note that there is a difference between properties for your project and the properties for the applicaion. The project properties are used by Visual Studio to manage the project. The application properties are used by your application during execution of the application. Look in the properties for your project; you will see a "Settings" tab. In the settings tab is a table showing the settings for the project. For each setting there is a Type; one type that you can use is Connection String. The settings are stored in a special XML file. I have described the settings page more extensively in a few other threads. If you put the connection string in a setting, then the VS IDE can generate a setup that allows the connection string in the settings to be modified when the application is installed. I hope that the articles in this web site provide all the information you need to do that.

Sam Hobbs · Answer

There are many articles that explain creation of a connection string; one of them is my Database Table Update in a DataGridView without Writing Code . The following is another relevant article and a couple of relevant forum threads. View database structure using C# Login failed for user 'hp-PC\hp' query string for C#/sql You can do a search like this for more answers.

Pravin Ghadge · Answer

Hi Sam, Can u provide me some links to include connection string in Properties Tab & access them in connection class

Neven Draskovic · Answer

I found the logical error in my code, specifically in my connection string. The error was this: while I was making the application, I used the connection string provided by VS - which in AttachDbFilename section of the connection string inserts the path on the local computer. Naturally when I tried to run that application on another computer the path changed and the application could not find the needed file. Obviously this is a rookie mistake, and I found the solution in some recent posts. I solved this by changing that part of connection string to |DataDirectory|\NameOfDb.mdf; and now it works properly. If this is not a good solution, or it is unsafe for some reason, please comment. Again the application is working properly now on both my and users computer. I want to thank you all for helping me, I appreciate it.

Sam Hobbs · Answer

Have you read any relevant articles in this web site?

Pravin Ghadge · Answer

Hi, Do some setting in sql server 2008: 1)Go To Start->All programs 2)Microsoft Sql server 2008 3)Configuration tools 4)Sql server configuration manager. 5)In Sql server 2008 Services->Click on Sql Server Express. 6)Right click on it ->Go to properties->Select Local System as Built in Account . 7)Click on Restart button 8)Apply & OK

Neven Draskovic · Answer

SQL server express 2008 is on the users computer, but the database that I use in my application was created using SQL Server 2005

Pravin Ghadge · Answer

Hi, What version of sql server u had installed.

Neven Draskovic · Answer

Ok I followed your instructions about using the property/setting to control the connection string. Publishing goes without any problems, but when I install the application on the users computer and try to perform any action that uses the database (which is pretty much every action), I get the error message "System.Data.SqlClient.SqlException (0x80131904) An attempt to attach an auto-named database for a file ... faild. A database with the same name exists, or specified file name cannot be opened, or it is located on UNC share". I found this exception on Google and it states that something is wrong with my connection string - this is what the connection string looks like in the property/settings section "DataSource=.SQLEXPRESS;AttachDbFilename=|DataDirectory|\Proba.mdf;Integrated Security=True;User Instance=True". So why is it throwing me an error?

Pravin Ghadge · Answer

Yes,SQL servers are backwards compatible. can u show me how u r writing ur connection string.

Neven Draskovic · Answer

How can I acquire the connection string on the users computer. When I was making the application I simply copied the connection string provided by VS 2010 when I created the database. I am aware that the connection string should change when the application is installed on another computer (if nothing else, the database's path is different) - so how can I get it. Also, are SQL servers backwards compatible (I have a SQL server installed on my computer, but user's computer has SQL 2008 r2). I tried to put the database that I'm using into the same folder as the solution (so it should be published with the rest of the solution's elements) but whenever I install the application on another computer, it shows me an error that SQL connection could not be established.

Pravin Ghadge · Answer

Hi Neven, 1)To support ur application to run on any server without changing ur code. u can keep ur connection string in notepad & access in application. So u dont have to change ur code as per the server name. 2)Software needed for user computers are: a).net framework b)Sql server c)crRedist2005 (For supporting crystal report). If u have any other queries Plz reply

Solution distribution

Deepak Tewatia