Windows Mobile C# application with database - database

Question

I am writing a prototype application in Windows Mobile 6.5 device.
The objective of the app is to ask user for some inputs, collect data and store into local database and on a server.
I am done with creating GUI (in C#) of the application which takes all the necessary inputs from user.
Now, I need to insert this data into local DB and upload to server DB. Both the DBs will need to synced over HTTP when user selects to do so. I have not worked on databases much, except for writing some queries to fetch data from PostgreSQL in the past in Linux environment a few years ago.
So my question is, what is the easiest way to achieve the thing I am trying to? I don't need lot of features. The data is only strings and numbers (no files, multimedia stuff etc.)
What server I should install and run? What components should I use on client side?
Thanks
Ashish

Answer 1

To use database on windows mobile you need Microsoft SQL Server Compact 3.5 for Windows Mobile . http://www.microsoft.com/en-in/download/details.aspx?id=8831 . You can download and install from the link given. After installation C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server Compact Edition\v3.5\Devices\wce500\armv4i will have all CAB files that needs to be installed to your mobile.
Install
sqlce.ppc.wce5.armv4i.CAB
sqlce.repl.ppc.wce5.armv4i.CAB
For more information on what to install refer http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb986876.aspx
I have written a small helper class to do all database transactions.
public class DataBaseHelper
{
public enum typeOfQuery
{
insert,
update,
delete,
getScalar,
getDataSet,
getDataTable
};
private string connectionString = Program.Connection;
public object ExecuteDatabaseQuery(string query, Dictionary<string, object> dictionary, typeOfQuery typeOfQuery)
{
try
{
using (SqlCeConnection oCon = new SqlCeConnection(connectionString))
{
oCon.Open();
string oSql = query;
using (SqlCeCommand oCmd = new SqlCeCommand(oSql, oCon))
{
oCmd.CommandType = CommandType.Text;
if (dictionary != null)
{
if (dictionary.Count != 0)
{
foreach (KeyValuePair<string, object> pair in dictionary)
{
if (pair.Value is DateTime)
oCmd.Parameters.Add(pair.Key, SqlDbType.DateTime).Value = pair.Value ?? DBNull.Value;
else if (pair.Value is bool || pair.Value is Boolean)
oCmd.Parameters.Add(pair.Key, SqlDbType.Bit).Value = pair.Value ?? DBNull.Value;
else
oCmd.Parameters.Add(pair.Key, SqlDbType.NVarChar).Value = pair.Value ?? DBNull.Value;
}
}
}
// check what type of query using the enums in the constants.cs file
if ((typeOfQuery == (typeOfQuery.insert)) || (typeOfQuery == typeOfQuery.update) ||
(typeOfQuery == typeOfQuery.delete))
{
return oCmd.ExecuteNonQuery();
}
else if (typeOfQuery == typeOfQuery.getDataSet)
{
SqlCeDataAdapter adapter = new SqlCeDataAdapter(oCmd);
DataSet dataSet = new DataSet();
adapter.Fill(dataSet);
return dataSet;
}
else if (typeOfQuery == typeOfQuery.getDataTable)
{
SqlCeDataAdapter adapter = new SqlCeDataAdapter(oCmd);
DataSet dataSet = new DataSet();
adapter.Fill(dataSet);
return dataSet.Tables[0];
}
else if (typeOfQuery == typeOfQuery.getScalar)
{
object returnValue = oCmd.ExecuteScalar();
if (returnValue == null)
{
return string.Empty;
}
else
return returnValue;
}
}
}
}
catch (SqlCeException ex)
{
throw;
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
throw;
}
finally
{
}
return false;
}
}
You can call this class as follows
string query = #"SELECT * FROM TABLE
WHERE COL1 = #COL1";
Dictionary<string, object> dictionaryToInsert = new Dictionary<string, object>();
dictionaryToInsert.Add("#COL1", Col1Value);
return (DataTable)new DataBaseHelper().ExecuteDatabaseQuery(query,
dictionaryToInsert, DataBaseHelper.typeOfQuery.getDataTable);
Similarly you can query database for other purposes also. use the enum and change the query and you will get the result.