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I'm currently learning C# with Visual Studio 2013 and planning to write an application with Database. There i have some questions:

  1. What's the best database to publish with my application to friends/customers? The database won't be too big. And every user should use his own database.
  2. How do i publish my application with the database and make an installer from it? I want to give customers a setup.exe that they can install. With everything they need, i.e. .net, database, etc

Thanks in advance

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  • You might want to have a look at SqLite. Commented Apr 1, 2014 at 7:41

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Here is a good SQL Comparison Table that shows what you can and can't have with different options (SQL Server Express, Local DB, SQL Server Compact / CE).

You probably want SQL CE so you can bundle up an actual database file with your installer.

As for the installer, you'll need to create a Bootstrapper which will contain your installer + other installers you require + your database that you're releasing (assuming you mean a pre-populated database?).

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so i can't use the rightclick on project-publish-method to publish the application with the database?
I think if you want to include other installers you need a bootstrapper. If you use SQL CE then you won't need another installer you can just bundle the DLLs in, I believe - that's a guess, though.
ok... i think i will use CE 4.0 and try installer on a fresh win8 VM.
is there a o/r designer for CE4.0?
Don't know, I'm afraid. MSDN says you can use LINQ to SQL. Could you use the designer with SQL Server Express and then, once you're done designing, change the connection to be SQL CE? - might be worth asking this as a new question.
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MS SQL Server Compact edition would be a good choice. It's free and redistributable with Your application. No extra installation needed. http://www.microsoft.com/de-de/download/details.aspx?id=17876

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Sounds nice. Do i add the database to my project and when i publish the application, the sql compact will be installed with my application?
Yep, goes all with your installer.
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For really small databases, you could use sqlite.

Otherwise, I'd suggest using MS SQL Server, it has a free Express edition. I don't think attaching another install.exe would cause problems.

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MS SQL Server is massive and requires very specific installation. Not good for "just packaging up with an application"

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