Deploying Sql Server with an application

[cryptinitedemon]

I need to deploy SQL server 2008 express with my application. I would like to run the installer in an automated way. I also need to detect if the user already has 2008 express installed.

I could just be lame and ask the user directly in a custom action, but my program deals with research data and most likely the people installing would hit the wrong button and overwrite their database or something.

Any ideas? thanks.

[namrekka]

These are 2 different things: SQL server 2008 express and the database containing your data.
If you create a setup project it will al go automaticly.

[dilettante]

There are some notes on this at Distributing SQL Server Express (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms165639(SQL.90).aspx).