This is the biggest problem I've had with my project so far. Every time I try to publish it, I get hangups and crashes whenever the project tries to access a database file (which is fairly often).
I have two database objects, both created as part of my Visual Studio project under the main solution, as BUILDERDATA.mdf and CHARACTERS.mdf. When I access them during test builds, everything functions just fine. However, they always fail in the published project.
I get the feeling either they're not exporting correctly, or the act of publishing the project is breaking the connection strings, so I'm hoping someone can help me pinpoint the issue.
Under my project settings, I have a connection set up to each database. They're both Connection Strings, their scope is Application, and the value is this:
Data Source=(LocalDB)\MSSQLLocalDB;AttachDbFilename=|DataDirectory|\BUILDERDATA.mdf;Integrated Security=True;Connect Timeout=30
Data Source=(LocalDB)\MSSQLLocalDB;AttachDbFilename=|DataDirectory|\CHARACTERS.mdf;Integrated Security=True;Connect Timeout=30
Under Project Properties -> Publish -> Application Files, both databases and their log files are set to Data File (Auto) for Publish Status, Required for Download Group, and Include for Hash.
Under my Prerequisites, I have SQL Server 2012 Express LocalDB marked, as well as Microsoft .NET Framework 4. Part of my code uses .NET, so that's required anyway, and I included SQL Server Express so it can access the database files. However, 2012 is the newest version available for me to include, so I'm not sure if there's an issue with that version?
If there's anything else you guys would need to see, please let me know. I just want to get this figured out and fixed so I can have my friends start testing my program. :(
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As a .NET Desktop developer, I have a lot of experience working with various databases that are already up and running; but I'm not a DBA. I'm currently working at a company where I am ther only software guy here to build them software from scratch -- their previous enterprise-level solution was an Access database with macros and a couple forms built it. So, I basically have no one else to go to.
With that preface, how the heck do I get a database -- ANY DATABASE!!! -- added to my VS solution? I've been beating my head against this for almost 6 hours and have made zero headway. At this point, I'm ready to say, "Screw MS databases!" and start looking at MySQL or PostgreSQL or something.
The desktop application I'm developing has to work whether there is an internet connection or not, so I need a local database that installs with ClickOnce. From what I've found so far:
SQL Server [Express] 2016+ requires Windows 8 or later (a non-starter since 95% our customers are still running Windows 7)
SQL Server Compact is being deprecated and won't work past VS2013
I think LocalDB is what replaces Compact in 2016+ (?)
Okay, so I started with this tutorial:https: //learn.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/data-tools/create-a-sql-database-by-using-a-designer However, trying to add a "Service-based Database" just gives me this error once: "The 'DBProviderFactories' section can only appear once per config file." I try again and get this error repeatedly: "Unable to find DbProviderFactory for type System.Data.SqlClientConnection" I've Googled both errors and all the answers that I've been able to find pertain to VS2010 or earlier and their solutions are either not applicable or don't work.
Next, I tried this tutorial: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa983322.aspx I've tried adding new data connections through the "Server Explorer" panel. I don't see "[*] Compact" as an option. When I try "Microsoft SQL Server Database File", I just get the error: Unable to find the requested .Net Framework Data Provider. It may not be installed."
I've even tried adding data sources through the "Data Sources" panel; that doesn't work either.
I've installed the "Data storage and development" addon from the Visual Studio Installer, several versions of SQL Server 2014, SQL Server Compact 4.0, and maybe a few other executables from Microsoft's website.
Nothing works.
Help...
I think I just found it!
Evidently, there are "machine.config" files on your computer. Search for them all, and make sure that there is only a single tag for "DbProviderFactories". I can add a database object now. Hopefully, this puts me in business...
https://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/vstudio/en-US/7b4f353b-77fd-427c-976b-5968abc88c13/visual-studio-2010-unable-to-find-the-requested-net-framework-data-provider-for-sql?forum=vseditor
If what you are saying is that you are writing a browser based application - then one would migrate the tables to SQL Server (Express) or even MySQL - it really doesn't matter. Then write a new web app. The existing Access app would serve as a model for seeing features & screen layout but is otherwise not portable.
On the other hand, if you are re-writing a Windows application; then the decision is whether the payload requires a server solution or if one can stay at the PC level. If the payload is suitable for PC then a re-write using either Visual Studio or Access again.
Access is a front end db - the tables in the back end whether they be stored in SQL Server or an Access file are entirely passive. All the processing is done by the user's PC. If the payload allows that then this is the lowest cost re-write option.
If you've outgrown a PC level payload - then one must develop a back end database feature set with a more passive front end.
I have written a VB.Net application that uses an SQL Express DB file containing a single table and a handful of stored procedures.
I have successfully built and exported the application to my VPS.
The problem comes when knowing what to do concerning the database file, there is a wealth of stuff online but not specifically to suit my needs.
I plan to use LocalDB on the VPS but being commandline - it is hard to know if the scripts that I have run have been successful after creating an instance , starting it... etc,
I want to keep installation requirements to an absolute minimum on my VPS machine and (in time other end users machines)... hence using LocalDB and not SQL Express
So, what do I have to do on the VPS to enable my application to connect to the database.. ? This was simple when it was Access - (supply the MDB file and run the AccessDatabaseEngine(redistributable) - job done)
The connection on my devt. machine runs as expected.
The connection string in my code is:
Const strSQLConnection As String = "Data Source= (localdb)\v11.0;Database=SoccerTrader;Trusted_Connection=True"
Can anyone help please.. this is driving me around the bend.. surely it cant be that difficult..?
===========================
I have found the following in an MSDN blog which says:
Database as a File: LocalDB connection strings support AttachDbFileName property that allows attaching a database file during the connection process. This lets developers work directly with databases instead of the database server. Assuming a database file (*.MDF file with the corresponding *.LDF file) is stored at “C:\MyData\Database1.mdf” the developer can start working with it by simply using the following connection string: “Data Source=(localdb)\v11.0;Integrated Security=true;AttachDbFileName=C:\MyData\Database1.mdf”.
================ ADDED 12th June =====================
OK, this is really bugging me now... I have read around this till it is coming out of my ears and nothing specifically seems to target what I am trying to do. All the blogs I read refer to installing / running SQL Server and changing permissions etc.
As I have mentioned I am using a VPS and propose to use LocalDB on the VPS to access a simple/small database file for a VB.Net application I am writing.
This is the story so far.
1) I have built a working prototype on my development PC and connected using SQL Express to a database file SoccerTrader.mdf - no problem.
In the Visual Studio Project properties I have added a requirement to the project that checks for SQL Server ..and if it is missing, installs it...
2) I install the project on the VPS and as expected SQL Server 2012 LocalDB is installed .... see here..
3) I have copied the SoccerTrader.MDF and SoccerTrader.LDF files into "C:\BESTBETSoftware\SoccerBot" on the VPS
4) for practical reasons given the problems I am having getting this to work, I have implemented an inputbox for me to specify the connection string when the application runs.... the connection strings I have used give the following...
1]: http://i.stack.imgur.com/i2tro.png
I have not changed any file permissions on the development PC and the database state is NOT read only....
So, the question is where do I go from here...? What have I missed.. why is it not working..?
I have managed to sort the problem.
Seemingly, the connection string I was using was OK. It was my error handling that wasnt 'clean' enough. It transpired the connection was being made on my VPS but when the application attempted to update the table , the directory I had created and put the MDF file into, would not permit write access.
I moved the MDF into the C:\Users\Public\Documents folder and all works as it should.
You have to specify the full path of the Db file with folder name/ip-address
im using MS-access as my database. I've already finished the project and it is working perfectly fine.
my database location while im still developing is in C:\Users\Users\documents and the other one located at C:\Users\Users\documents\visual studio 2010\projects\project1\project1\bin\debug
is bad to put the database at two different folder?
1st problem: now creating a setup and deployment project, i use setup wizard and checked all then build it. installation of setup is successful but when i try to run the program, it doesnt respond,
2nd problem: i cant see my 1st database located at program files, only the second one and maybe this is the cause of unresponsive app.
copying the debug files into other computer and copying manually my database to user\document which i have to change permission and the copied debug files runs well, but i have to create an installer. how to do it?
from my server explorer i was wondering there is only one database, yet my program works fine when running debug? reconnecting the unseen database would be a lot of work because it is my main database.
You should check the database which is connected to your project and the path which is associated.
Try Application.StartUpPath in your connection.
I am creating a database with Entity Framework 4 and Visual Studio 2010.
I am fine with the first steps - I am going model first, so I successfully created the model and now there is a valid .edmx file in my solution.
My goal is the following: I want to generate the database and add it to the solution so I can give the solution to another person and they will be able to build it and run it - I do not want the database connection be dependent on any of my local settings, and I do not want them to have the need to recreate the database, it will have some 'seed data' in it. That should be possible, I saw similar solutions.
I would appreciate advice on how to do that.
Use SQL Server Express and put database files to App_Data directory (for web application) or make them solution items copied to output for other application. Change connection string to attach the file - it should look something like:
AttachDbFileName=|DataDirectory|\YourDB.mdf;Initial Catalog=YourDB;Integrated Security=SSPI
I have a simple WPF application that uses ClickOnce to handle installing. Within this application is a compact database. Through testing I have found that when I publish a new build this database will get overwritten, which is not what I want. Is there anyway I can have fine grained control over what files are updated? I assume ClickOnce is simply checking the hash of the database file, deciding that it has changed and pulling the update.
As a workaround I have since removed the database from the files that are included with the published application so the original remains on the client machine after an update, untouched.
Not a great solution I know
Thanks,
ClickOnce deployments segregate the Application Files into "Include" or "Data file". You can specify what each file is in visual Studio by going to the project Properties page, Publish tab, then clicking the "Application Files..." button. You can then set your .sdf file to "Data File" under the Publish Status column.
Data Files that are downloaded with a ClickOnce application are then placed in a separate directory for each new version.
The idea is that on the first run of the new application version, you go retrieve all the user's private data from their old-version data files and incorporate that data into the new data files which have just been downloaded with your new version.
I think you'll find the information you need at Accessing Local and Remote Data in ClickOnce Applications. Specifically, look at the sections "ClickOnce Data Directory" and "Data Directory and Application Versions."
To access a SQL Server CE database located in your Data directory, use a connection string similar to the following:
<add
name="MyApplication.Properties.Settings.LocalCacheConnectionString"
connectionString="Data Source=|DataDirectory|\LocalCache.sdf"
providerName="Microsoft.SqlServerCe.Client.3.5" />
The "|DataDirectory|" is a special syntax supported by SQL CE and SQL Express and resolves at runtime to the proper directory.
If you so much as open that SQLCE database included in your project, it will change the time stamp on the database, and ClickOnce will deploy it and put the old version under the \pre subfolder.
You might want to consider this method for handling this. Then if you accidentally deploy a new version of the database and don't realize it, you're not hosed. If you intentionally make changes, you can change the database structure of your current database with SQL queries, and pull data from the new copy deployed to the Data Directory (that you're otherwise ignoring) when you need to.
RobinDotNet