Getting started questions, versions, upgrading, etc.

I just attempted to upgrade to SQL Server Compact Edition (2005? 3.1?). The install appeared to go ok but I have no idea really and judging from the version numbers that appear in the references of my projects, I'd say there could be a problem. First, here is what I installed (and the order I installed it):

1) SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition (SQLServerCE31-EN.msi)
2) SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition Developer SDK (SSCE31SDK-ENU.msi)
3) SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition Tools for Visual Studio 2005 SP1 (SSCE31VSTools-ENU.exe)

The first two installs went normal and said they completed successfully. The VS Tools install was strange... it appeared to install but there was no message saying it was complete or successful. The install dialog just disappeared when it was done.

I had some projects that already had references to SQL Server Mobile 2005, so I loaded up a few of those projects, went to the references and removed the SqlServerCe reference and re-added it. I figured the version number would change but it didn't. The version number in the references dialog is 3.0.3600.0. However, the file that it's pointing to is 3.0.5300.0 (browsed to it in Explorer and looked at the properties). Does anyone know what the real version of SSCE is now?

Also, when I removed the reference to SqlServerCe and added it back, I got an application error in VS2005. This has happened every time with every project I've tried. I have to remove the reference, exit VS, reload VS and add the reference back. Which may all just be a waste of time since it doesn't look like it's doing anything.

One other small thing I noticed in the references is that the path for SqlServerCe has an extra \ between the "SDK" and "SQL Server" directories:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\SmartDevices\SDK\\SQL Server\Mobile\v3.0\System.Data.SqlServerCe.dll

I'm very confused at this point and hope someone can clear some of this up for me. Thanks!

Hello Rob,

I am actually having the same question.

I have however found that the compact edition installs in C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server Compact Edition\v3.1

The reference to C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\SmartDevices\SDK\\SQL Server\Mobile\v3.0\System.Data.SqlServerCe.dll is indeed the 'old' version.

Can somebody please tell us how to add the new version to VS?, I cannot figure it out!

Thanks!

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The SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition Tools for Visual Studio 2005 SP1 installs in a silent mode and does not show dialogs during the installation phase. Prior to installaing SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition the following should be installed:

1) Visual Studio 2005 with the Smart Device Programmability Components selected.

2) Visual Studio 2005 SP1

3) SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition Tools for Visual Studio 2005 SP1

4) SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition

The Smart Device Development components can be installed from the Visual Studio 2005 media (CD, DVD etc.) before or after updating the Visual Studio 2005 to Visual Studio 2005 SP1. If Visual Studio 2005 SP1 has been applied to Visual Studio 2005 and the smart device development components were not installed, the Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition Tools for Visual Studio 2005 will not install. To install the Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition Tools for Visual Studio 2005 install the Smart Device Development components from the Visual Studio 2005 media to the Visual Studio 2005 SP1 and then apply the download.

For updating the references for System.Data.SqlServerCe refer to the topic given below in SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171951.aspx. The topic is also copied below:

"For Desktop applications, in the Microsoft .NET Framework application, add a reference to the System.Data.SqlServerCe namespace. To add the reference to the System.Data.SqlServerCe, in Solution Explorer, right–click References, and then select Add reference. In the Add Reference dialog box, click Browse, locate the %Program File%\Microsoft SQL Server Compact Edition\v3.1 folder, select System.Data.SqlServerCe.dll, and then click OK."

Regards

Ambrish