How to embed MSDE installation into my application installer
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Hi, I create my installation project using VS.NET 2005 , then I add the merge modules to the project ! but it doesn't work ! - I also tried to customize the MSDE Internal properties but it didn't work ! any suggestions !!! hatem++;
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Hi, I create my installation project using VS.NET 2005 , then I add the merge modules to the project ! but it doesn't work ! - I also tried to customize the MSDE Internal properties but it didn't work ! any suggestions !!! hatem++;
From what I recall, using the merge modules is now not recommended. Microsoft continue to ship the merge modules for applications already using them. See this article[^], specifically the comment at the end: "PSS Recommendations Regarding MSDE Merge Modules "Due to rapidly changing threats to the security of our IT systems, we strongly suggest that customers use the MSIs provided by Microsoft and not use merge modules. Using the MSIs provided by Microsoft allow the customer greater flexibility in responding to these threats and making sure that their MSDE embedded applications are secure." You should consider launching the MSDE setup from your own setup launcher program. You may be able to do this with a custom action. See also Microsoft's MSDE 2000 Deployment Toolkit[^]. IIRC the recommended practice for using SQL Server 2005 Express Edition is to allow setup to create a single SQLEXPRESS instance if one is not already present. All applications should then share that instance, specifying the database file to use in the connection string. Microsoft have belatedly realised that this isn't terribly convenient for developers and are now discussing porting SQL Server 2005 Mobile Edition to Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, from Windows CE - it will be called 'SQL Server Everywhere Edition'. This will be implemented as a set of DLLs and will run in your application's process, rather than as a separate service. I suspect this is the long-term replacement for the Jet database engine used by Access. Stability. What an interesting concept. -- Chris Maunder