[RESOLVED] Database Deployment Advice

Hi,

I have a windows based app coded in VB.NET, I have an MS Access database as the back end. I will eventually uplift this to MS SQL Server. but I have a few questions

1) How easy is it to convert MS Access database to SQL Server? are there any tools I can use?

2) I need to Package the app up with the database (some kind of setup), what sort of tools are available in standard VB 2008?

3)When I finally have a setup package (with the database) how do I install the SQL Server database on the clients machine assuming they already have SQL Server I just need to install my database?.

Finally off topic, can you recommend any decent licensing products for .NET apps.

cheers,
enex

The move to SQL Server is a change in connection strings. Moving the data is simple there is also an Upsizing utility at MS. You can set SQL Server Express as a requirement for the application and then the installer will install it if not present on the machine. You will also need to supply the empty database files to attach on first run. You can also use SQL Server CE but that might require changes to you queries and application.

"The move to SQL Server is a change in connection strings." ... and more... if this is in .NET, odds are you used oldbClient... while you could leave it at that, I'd go ahead and update it to SQL Client, allowing you to take advantage of SQL Server specific enhancements.

-tg