asked on sql connection file or database
Hi
I just need something cleared up.
In web pages can connect to a sqlserver database, i do this all the time and have now problem with that.
you can also connect to the .mdf file. This is where i am confused. can you connect to the mdf file in the same way you would connect to a access(mdb) file or do you still need sql server running on the machine where the mdf is.
I am not really looking for a connection string, I'm looking for a clear explaination of what is going on and the reasons or different uses for this.
example below
<configuration>
<connectionStrings>
<add name="SqlExpressConnection
providerName="System.Data.
</connectionStrings>
</configuration>
Thanks
I just need something cleared up.
In web pages can connect to a sqlserver database, i do this all the time and have now problem with that.
you can also connect to the .mdf file. This is where i am confused. can you connect to the mdf file in the same way you would connect to a access(mdb) file or do you still need sql server running on the machine where the mdf is.
I am not really looking for a connection string, I'm looking for a clear explaination of what is going on and the reasons or different uses for this.
example below
<configuration>
<connectionStrings>
<add name="SqlExpressConnection
providerName="System.Data.
</connectionStrings>
</configuration>
Thanks
ASP.NETVisual Basic.NET
Last Comment
NickWalt
ASKER
But what is the difference between this which is connecting to a sql server instance
and the first connection that was connecting to the database file (.mdf)
<connectionStrings>
<add name="MyConnectionString" connectionString="Data Source=MyServer;Initial Catalog=MyDatabase;Integra
providerName="System.Data.
</connectionStrings>
And why would you use the file(mdf) connection and if you do use it do you need SqlServer running
and the first connection that was connecting to the database file (.mdf)
<connectionStrings>
<add name="MyConnectionString" connectionString="Data Source=MyServer;Initial Catalog=MyDatabase;Integra
providerName="System.Data.
</connectionStrings>
And why would you use the file(mdf) connection and if you do use it do you need SqlServer running
With Visual Studio 2005 you get a cut down version of SQL Server software called SQL Server Express. This allows you to create a database as a file and use all the same functions that a proper SQL database would use. My understanding is this could be used for very simple applications on your PC and for testing but wouldn't really be used in a full online application. I guess a small online app would work but it wouldn't really scale very well.
A full SQL server instalation is designed to be scalable and could even span multiple drives, servers etc.
Within my application I have 2 connection strings depending on if i'm want to debug the live sql server or the debug version which is on my PC. I just comment one out and leave other in and then swap around when i want to change. This works for me.
Hope this helps.
A full SQL server instalation is designed to be scalable and could even span multiple drives, servers etc.
Within my application I have 2 connection strings depending on if i'm want to debug the live sql server or the debug version which is on my PC. I just comment one out and leave other in and then swap around when i want to change. This works for me.
Hope this helps.
ASKER
But still when testing why not use sql express and connect to the database. Why connect to the file as apposed to the server.
I am sorry for being thick but I am just not getting it.
I am sorry for being thick but I am just not getting it.
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And no, Access does not use SqlServer, it uses a database server embedded by microsoft