My production is on full blown SQL Server 2008.
I would like to have integration tests with some light weight database that
doesn't have to be installed on the machine and
doesn't run as a service
...if at all possible.
I use LINQ to Entities in my code that probably makes this goal even more complicated.
Is it possible to use any lightweight DB to accomplish this goal? Do those DBs have LINQ providers or whatever they're called to translate LINQ to actual queries...
Anybody has any experience with LINQ to Entities with third party databases?
What about SQL Server 2008 Express? That's about as lightweight as a SQL Server 2008 compatible system gets. It's basically a light-weight workstation install for SQL Server - it's a server, it's a service in the background. http://www.microsoft.com/express/sql/default.aspx
There's also SQL Server Compact 3.5 which should be compatible with SQL Server 2008, but I don't know if it's supported by the Entity Framework as a store. This is just a bunch of DLLs you need to add to your project, and it stores all its data in a single .sdf file. http://www.microsoft.com/Sqlserver/2005/en/us/compact.aspx
Marc
Related
I have a spring batch application which reads data from SQL server. I would like to write an integration test against an embedded db which supports TSQL.
Exp: My main application has some queries which uses "for json path"
I am looking for an embedded db where I can test in memory.
PS: I tried H2 and looks like it does not support TSQL.
Please download this
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=30709
Microsoft SQL Server Compact 4.0 is a free, embedded database that software developers can use for building ASP.NET websites and Windows desktop applications. SQL Server Compact 4.0 has a small footprint and supports private deployment of its binaries within the application folder, easy application development in Visual Studio and WebMatrix, and seamless migration of schema and data to SQL Server.
FYI -
Looks like Microsoft SQL Server JDBC Driver does not support connecting to SQL
Server Compact.
How to use SQL Server Compact Edition (CE) from Java?
https://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/4d25a17f-6dda-4bec-8a92-f068594553ef/java-and-sql-server-compact-edition?forum=sqlce
Perhaps you can use SQL Server Express LocalDB.
I do not know about its technical details, however. I have personally not (yet) used it in a development project. Perhaps it cannot be considered to be an embedded database like SQL Server Compact Edition is. But a quick search on Internet does indicate that it could be accessed from/with Java.
Regarding managing LocalDB databases with SQL Server Management Studio... Contrary to what is stated in the official documentation, I did succeed to connect to LocalDB using SSMS (version 18.9.1). I only needed to enter (LocalDb)\MSSQLLocalDB as the server name in the connection dialog and use Windows Authentication.
I am a SQL Server developer and I have been asked to write some stored procedures to be used to connect a database (Pervasive) to the website.
I was completely unfamiliar with Pervasive before this was asked of me, so I though the best thing to do was to create a SQL Server database (probably express) and have some ETL running nightly moving the data from Pervasive to Microsoft, then I can write all the website code on the SQL Server rather than the live Pervasive database.
Is anyone aware of any free/cheap methods/software for the daily ETL I am planning?
Would SSIS be an option with SQL Server Express?
Lets go the opposite way..
If you are gonna use SQL Server express for your website i would propose something else:
Use SQLite / MySQL for the website.
If you do this, then you can use SSIS to make your ETL from Pervasive -> SQLite / MySQL.
If and only IF your ETL logic is simple and you just want to get rid of Pervasive, then instead of SSIS you can write your own .NET application to handle the data transfer. In that case you can use SQL Express if you want.
Is there a way to synchronize two SQL Server 2008 databases(any edition) using Microsoft Sync Framework and SQL Server 2008 Change Tracking mechanism, instead of provisioning the databases with the required schema changes(triggers, sps, aux tables) to track changes?
Is there any code sample?
Yes, this is possible. Use the Sql Express sample sync provider (http://archive.msdn.microsoft.com/sync/Release/ProjectReleases.aspx?ReleaseId=1200).
It is not supported by Microsoft and it uses Sync Framework 2.0 techniques instead of the newer 2.1 techniques for collaborative sync.
Enable change tracking on the server, create the anchor and guid table on the client. Create sync adapters per table in the sync agent and you're off. You have to keep in mind that the sql express client provider uses the server provider under the covers, so you need to reverse it's thinking in some places (download becomes upload).
I have installed:
Visual C# 2008 Express
Visual Web Developer 2008 Express
Visual Studio 2008
SQL Server 2008 Express
SQL Server Management Studio
In Visual C# 2008 Express, I can "Add Item" and create a "Local Database" (.sdf file) or a "Service Based Database" (.mdf file).
Visual Studio 2008 is the same as Visual C# 2008 for applications but in Websites, the only way I can create .sdf or .mdf files is via the Database Explorer.
In Visual Web Developer 2008 Express, however, I can "Add Item" and ONLY create a "SQL Server Database" (.mdf file). Even the Database Explorer doesn't offer to create a SQL CE database.
Questions:
why the discrepency between the applications, is this normal or did something go wrong with my installations?
I never "installed SQL CE", where did it come from and how is it that I am able to create .sdf file?
How do you work with these in projects on a day to day basis, do you use Visual Studio to edit the databases or do you use SQL Server Management Studio?
I believe only Professional and above may create MSSQL CE databases.
SQL CE is installed with 2008 studio, I was surprised to see it myself and didn't see an option to exclude it.
Personally I use VS 2008 to add items to my project databases. Since it's open anyway I just use it. It provides most of the same functionality as Management Studio. If I am doing separate database work, I usually do it in Management studio.
The CE databases are pretty useless. They have a limited sub-set of types and functions. They do not support views or stored procedures. Basically they only store tables; I haven't attempted to create foreign keys in them.
There is no way to rename tables or columns. You must create a new table.
Once you create your database it must be manually added to your project.
You cannot directly create a LINQ to SQL class in VS2008 on a CE database. You need to use the command line tool sqlmetal (called from .NET console) to create the class for you.
I've had issues where the Class created for a CE database didn't work like a class built for a regular SQL database. Because of this I abandoned using a CE database all together.
It would be nice if there was a reliable way to use Linq to SQL on SQLite databases. SQLite is a great self-contained database not requiring any type of external engine.
Sorry I don't have any performance statistics for an SQL CE database.
I hope this is somewhat helpful.
Brett
Ok registered now and not sure why got a -1 vote on previous answer but will expand.
Web Developer Express 2008 Does not create or work with Sql Server CE simply because SQL Server CE is not designed to work on the Web Server.
When you load c# express or vb express. sql server express 2008 is offered to be installed. SQL CE isn't installed. if you go and add a data source the two I know will be there, Microsoft SQL Server Compact 3.5 (.NET Framework Data Provider for Microsoft SQL Server Compact 3.5)and Microsoft SQL Server Database File (SqlClient), the access client may be there also.
It should be noted with a default Express setup that if you choose to use the data provider for sql server compact it will fail even though it is an option. you would have to download sql server ce separately to create sdf databases.
Also Express versions are targeted to a different audience and doesn't have the same ui setup as the main vs sku's have. For example Web express in database setup doesn't even offer the choice to use sql server ce. while in VS it is a choice from the data menu mainly because VS supports more than just web developer.
Now you said you loaded VS 2008 (didn't say what version but doesn't matter since this affects standard and above)
The default install for vs 2008 will install Sql server ce (and as previous answer stated 3.1 was with rtm, 3.5 was with sp1). you can turn it off in advance options.
One concern I have is that you mention that you can't create a database in vs on web projects. which template are you using. You should be able to create server based database Items in add item and both local and server database objects in the data tab.
so in Summery.
on client based express skus and client based projects you should be able to create a local or server based database from add item and from the data tab.
Since sql CE is not officially supported on the Web Server. on the web skus in add Item you should only have access to create a server based database. on express since it is a dedicated sku CE isn't an option in either the data tab or the add item. on vs you can create a CE database from the Data tab. and you should have access to create a server database in add item.
sql server management studio doesn't care where the source is. so it will work with all and create the database.
I use all the options listed just depending on what or where I am at the time. as was mentioned CE on the desktop is primarily a cache database perfect for offline database support. but does have its limitations and in addition really needs better integration. once I am created or working with a database in support I primarily use management studio.
The key point in why you can't access CE from Web express is that CE is not supported on the web server.
Douglas
This is normal. The database types supported by the Visual Studio designer differ by edition. Note that any version of Visual Studio can write and use code that connects to any of those databases. It's just that the visual "wizard" tools included with the IDE that walk you through it are different for each edition.
SQL CE is the Compact Edition of sql server. It's intended for use on portable devices like smart phones or as an Access replacement for a local data store in desktop apps. It's very portable: only 2 dlls that clock in at less than 1Mb of disk space, and was probably included with at least one of your Visual Studio packages, probably all of them.
I normally do all my database work from Management Studio, but that's a personal preference.
The discrepancy is odd, but since SQL CE is a plugged-in item, it may well be that the team didn't test every possible scenario and some of the applications simply didn't get the info they needed to know that it's there. I'm not saying that anything went wrong - it may simply be a scenario that the SQL CE team never tested.
SQL CE was installed with Studio (can't recall offhand, but I think 3.1 shipped with the RTM and 3.5 shipped with SP1).
I always use Management Studio for making database modifications (except those done directly in code).
Can it be done and if so, how?
You can also check out Sync Services for Sql Server and Compact edition. The benefit of Sync Services is that you don't need a replication server or IIS and you can also sync between compact edition databases. This method involves writing a fair bit more code and is fairly involved, but I'd recommend looking into it as a lightweight service.
You can use Merge Replication. Theres a tutorial here SQL Server Compact 3.5 How-to Tutorials (Number 5).
Certainly replication is possible, as is Sync Services if you're not afraid to get your hands dirty. It depends on the details of what you need:
Sometimes-connected application wanting to have a read-only cache: Sync Services
Sometimes-connected application wanting to have part or full update ability: Sync Services
Remote site with multiple workstations needing read/write access to data: replication if you can get a secure network connection that's stable enough, otherwise look at extending Syn Services to work with SQL Express (or full SQL Server) based on the sample here: Sync using SQL Express
If you just want a SQL CE database and you're working with a SQL 2008 server then the wizard in Visual Studio 2008 SP1 will do all the work for you, you need only add 1 line of code to it if you want bi-directional support. If you can't upgrade then it will take more work with SQL 2005, and it's only reliable if you have at least SP2.
I'm in the middle of a project that requires multiple sites to have a sub-set of data in an environment where each site may lose it's connection to the head office at times, we've managed to get Sync Services to work with SQL 2008 at the head office and SQL Express 2008 at each site with full change tracking (2008 feature) and it's working great. It does require a reasonable amount of code (C# and SQL), so we've used some pretty smart templates to help. Be aware that.
Perhaps you could refine your question with more details?
Because of budget constraints I think it will have to beta-tester's approch,i tried following the guide and cant seem to get it working. Before I spend time getting it to work, I just confrim, Replicating between SqlServer 2005 and Compact Edition is something that can be done?
I just confrim, Replicating between
SqlServer 2005 and Compact Edition is
something that can be done?
Yes it can definately be done using either Merge Replication or Sync Services