MSDE - Adding Tables and Data

[sthomas]

I want to distribute an application that accesses a MSDE SQL DB. After I install MSDE on the new PC, how do I populate the tables with the data. Example: I have 500 records of a product line that do not change. Without writing every record into code and then inserting each record into the table, how can I update the new table with my products? If it were an access db, I could simply copy the DB to the users pc. With MSDE is there a similar way of populating the data??

[Katuil]

If you have SQL Server, you can install just the Enterprise Manager.

Another way is to put your data into say Access, then create a ODBC to the MSDE and then have Access populate the MSDE.

I am sure there are many other ways but htese are two that come to mind right off.

Also, keep in mind that MSDE only allows 5 concurrent user connections before it starts degrading performance. So if you are think that this will work for more than 5, it will have some issues.

[sthomas]

Lets say I sell this application over the internet. I can't go there and install Enterprise manager. Nor do I want to install from access. There should be a way to script it into the installation routine???

Thanks for any help.

[sthomas]

Now I have 30. HEHEHEH

[Katuil]

Ok.

Export the data into ASCII format or text format of some type. Then write scripts to import and populate the data. Write a vb exe that you use in your install package that is called after the MSDE is installed and operational. The vb script then loads the data out of the text files to populate the database. Then have your install package delete the vb exe and the text files from the target pc.

[sthomas]

That makes sense. Then I could use DTS to import. I will try that when I get closer to production. Thanks for the help.