How do I open a SQL CE4 .sdf database file?

Question

I installed Microsoft WebMatrix, which, I believe comes with SQL Server CE4. I've tried opening the SDF file in SQL Management Studio (SQL 2008), but I get the following error message:

-------- Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio: There is no editor available for 'C:\efTest\App_Data\SchoolRepository.sdf'.

Make sure the application for the file type (.sdf) is installed.

How do I view/modify my .sdf database?

I see there is a similar question on StackOverflow (http://stackoverflow.com/questions/4070860/sql-compact-4-0-cant-open-read-sdf-file) but I would really like to use Management Studio if I can, and not another 3rd party tool.

Answer 1

Have you tried the SQL Server Compact Toolbox?

or the SQL Compact Query Analyzer?

Answer 2

You can download sql ce through web api just follow this link

visual-studio-tools-for-sql-serverl

to do that.

Answer 3

Here are a couple which have worked quite well for me in terms of connecting to SQL CE 3.5 and 4.0 databases:

LINQPad - (See my remark to question) It works quite well plus it allows for specifying LINQ or SQL for queries.

CompactView - Seems pretty full featured + install creates a nice Windows file association so one can simply double-click to open/connect to .sdf files for instance.