Re: SQL CE Direct Access

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Concerning SQL Mobile support on Data Port Wizard the answer is yes and no.
Everything is supported by the new database engine with the exception of
writing on IDENTITY columns. Apparently, we can no longer write these
columns (it was possible with SQL CE 2.0). I'm waiting for a comment from
Microsoft on this because I'm not sure if this is a Beta behavior or if this
behavior will be present on the final version. If it is so, no more
exporting IDENTITY columns because SQL Mobile will renumber them on
insert... alas. :(

--
João Paulo Figueira
Embedded MVP
http://nativemobile.blogspot.com/

"Tim Brooks" <usna91@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:ueu8fpa0FHA.3856@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Ramesh,
>
> Direct methods for what? DML, DDL, data upload? Pete is right about the
> namespace (in Compact Framework)...but if you're talking about populating
> data, yes there are alternatives but, as with anything technical, it
> depends on what you want to do. VS 2005 has an editor that can create a
> complete sdf db on the desktop and populate records...but it only allows
> you do so individually. It doesn't have any mass import capabilities.
> Sql2005 has about the same level of capability. You can create but you
> can't import or move data from somewhere else into your db.
>
> There are also a number of tools that have been developed to allow you to
> create and populate data on the desktop to an sdf file w/out using RDA or
> replication. This is one that I like:
> http://www.primeworks.pt/Products/DataPortWizard.html
>
> Not sure if it has SqlMobile support yet.
>
> Lastly, one other thing you can do...that I have done anyway...but is sort
> of a hassle....You can use the new DTS tool in Sql Server 2005 to create a
> workflow to move data from sql Server to an sdf database.
> - Basically use Sql Server as your staging database.
> - Use VS2005 server explorer or Sql Server 2005 to create your sdf file.
> - Populate your data in Sql Server...
> - ...then create a workflow in DTS to move data from Sql Server to sdf.
>
> It isn't really documented but I have done it numerous times and it works.
> Again, its a pain. If you're really just looking to fire up an initial
> data load, I'd go with a tool like that above.....
>
> Even though my app isn't intended to support replication in its current
> version, I chose to use a publication to create the initial database for
> shipping.....a side benefit is it'll support replication when I add it
> later....I've tried several approaches but think that using publication is
> the best overall. Its a major hassle to set-up but once you do, its very
> easy to then just update the publication and then use your emulator or PPC
> to go pull the latest version....which you can then save back to your
> desktop for distribution prep.
>
> One final related note, if you're making frequent changes to your
> structure still, this is not a good route because while there are ways to
> change your database and then push them to the client sdf db, it really
> doesn't work out too well in general. Get your db as close as possible to
> its final design before setting up replication. Or....you should do this
> anyway....save a fresh copy of the db (on sql server) BEFORE setting up
> replication because Sql Server adds a bunch of GUID columns (to support
> rep) to your tables and then marks them as not editable....which, again,
> can be worked-around in order to make changes post publication, but is a
> hassle and tends to leave your database in an unstable state....
>
> I hope I haven't given you too much info....but these are some of the
> considerations....
>
> tim
>
>
> "Ramesh" <nramesh_98@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:eA5eHxX0FHA.3568@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Hi
>>
>> we are developing a few mobile apps using sql ce. we want to know if we
>> can avoid using RDA or merge replication. Are there any direct methods we
>> can use without them?
>>
>> TIA
>> Ramesh
>>
>
>


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