How to store data in a .net windows application

Question

What would be the best way to store data in a windows forms application?

I started a project using SQL with a local .mdf file, but then soon realized that when I create an installer, and install on another system. I get an error saying SQL Server not found, because that server doesn't have SQL installed.

The target system that this app will be installed on will not have SQL installed.

So my question is: What is the norm? How is data usually stored and accessed in windows forms applications? Is it really a .mdf SQL database, or some type of sqlite DB?

If I can use a SQL database (mdf file) of some sort, without having to install SQL server on each client machine as well. How would I go about doing that?

Thanks!

Answer 1

There is now SQL Server Compact Edition. This is compiled right into your application. The end user won't need any other version of SQL Sever to use your application. See http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/en/us/editions/compact.aspx

Answer 2

You should be using an embedded database then. SQL Server Compact Edition is an embedded database. This wikipedia link points to other embedded databases:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embedded_database

Note that not all are free.