Single-user database options

Question

I'm going to be writing a Windows application using the .NET framework and C#. The application will need to store relational data which will be queried, joined and processed.

Previously I've done this using SQL Server, but that is a total overkill for the application I am now making.

What's the simplest, easiest way to store relational data in my application? If I was on a Mac, I'd be using SQLite. What's the .NET equivalent?

Answer 1

If you are using VS 2008 and .NET 3.5, you can use SQL Server Compact Edition. It's not really a server at all, it runs in-proc with your app and provides a basic SQL database. The databases themselves are a single .sdf file and are deployed with your app. Since it's part of the framework, it also means there's no additional installation. Actually, It's not actually part of the framework, but it's easily redistributable. I'm using SQL Server CE for a personal project I'm currently working on, and it's turned out great so far.