what database should i choose?

Question

I use winforms to develop a desktop application, and right now I plan to use SQL server express, but the problem is, if i use sql server express, then the installation is much trouble, i need to install sql server first, and install my own applicaiton.

Then I tried to use access 2003 as my database, then I only need to copy the mdb file with my application. But the access 's function is not that strong, the text length is limited to 255 byte.

Is there any other database solution, which is easy to integrate to my application, and easy to install after i develop my application ?

Many many desktop application have their own database, and easy to install and easy to use, what database do they use ?

Answer 1

SQLite. Extremely robust and easy to work with, and has C# bindings. It is now the most widely deployed embedded database. The DLL is under 300Kb.

Answer 2

Use SQL Server Compact Edition (CE). It's free, and comes with Visual Studio. It's file-based, but can easily synchronize with a "real" SQL Server database.

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I was going to post a list of links to SQL CE information, but I found too many good links with the following search: http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Search/en-US?query=sql+server+compact+edition.