Morning Everyone,

Been asked to create a VB App with a local database. To be honest, I have developed applications with links to centralized databases or local flat files but never an application with a local database. I don't want to go down a specific path and find I made a poor choice. There are so many DB options out there and I am hoping if I describe the need, someone may suggest option that fits the need.

The app needs to be offline. Reference data in the local database for combo boxes and look-ups. Hold data entered during the course of the day. At the end of the day, when the user is in a more friendly environment with access to the internet, they can sync the local database with outward facing SQL. The local DB would have several tables to hold reference data as part of standard normalization. A couple of the tables may have up to 10,000 records but I am trying to narrow down that scope to speed up syncing. The key entry data may only be 30 to 40 records per day with up to 150 fields varying from text, to memo, to numeric values. If possible, I would like to encrypt the database. At minimum, password protect the database and encrypt the hard drive to try and protect the data.

I will need the app and database to deploy as a single exe or msi. So easy a user can do it with just a double click. My proposed users are not tech savvy. Double click may even be a stretch in some cases. Application will reside on Windows 10 Pro OS laptops or tablets. No android, iOS, or chrome books. When I update the application, I will update the database as well. I can overwrite the database for updates. Records do not need to be maintained locally so that eliminates a lot of coding to upgrade in place.

I will need the ability to either export the data directly to a SQL server or export in a way I can transfer the data to a SQL and run an import process.

I am currently using Visual Studio 13. I have looked at SQL Express, MySQL, and SQLite. I also was reading about a built in SQL in Visual Studio but I have not gotten to far into it or even determined if it is built into 13 or a newer version I don't have.

With that said, anyone have a suggestion that may fit the bill or get me close? Insight appreciated.

Douglas