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SQL Mobile is SQL Everywhere is SQL Compact Edition

So, Microsoft has gone and done it. They’ve released RC1 of their latest reincarnation of SQL Server Mobile/SqlCE. No, it’s not SQL Server Everywhere as we were first told and how it was named (and documented in the CTPs); it’s now (officially) “Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition”. And no, they have not agreed on an official acronym but I like SqlCE—kinda like the namespace, so unofficially that’s what I’ll call it until told otherwise. And no, it's not really SQL Server either. SqlCE is an experienced DBMS engine originally created to provide a DBMS for PDAs and (I expect) settop boxes. It's designed to provide an application with a light (small footprint) DBMS that supports a healthy (albeit more limited) SQL syntax and enough datatypes to permit a wide range of data storage options. It can be registered as a merge replication subscriber as well as be protected via full encryption.

I was so intrigued with this new DBMS I tried (but failed) to include it in my new book (Hitchhiker’s Guide to Visual Studio and SQL Server (7th Edition))--there simply wasn't time. Instead, I wrote the first of my EBooks on this little database engine that could. It’s called “Hitchhiker’s Guide to SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition”. While not quite as long,  my new EBook has been well received and characterized as some of the best documentation that exists for SqlCE—by Microsoft's Steve Lasker (and I quote:)

Bill has written the first EBook capturing the spirit of the problems we’re looking to solve with Microsoft SQL Server Compact Edition.  Bill writes with his critical, yet funny style to proactively inform developers where the speed bumps exist while explaining the value of the differences.  But more importantly, Bill gets it.  His critical comments are accurate, and most of the things he’s pointed out are things we’re either working on for the next release or the release after that.  Bill elegantly puts a perspective on why we’re not looking to add stored procedures or other server features.  Just as you work differently at home compared to work, just as you might ride your motorcycle different then you’d drive a car, Bill’s eBook does a great job explaining the differences you expect from a local database compared to a data service.  I’m sure you’ll find this eBook helpful to get you started with enabling your users with apps that continue to work even when the network doesn’t.

Steve Lasker
            Program Manager / Technical Lead
            Microsoft UiFX & Services Team

http://blogs.MSDN.com/SteveLasker

 

My new EBook also been called the "Programmer's Guide" for Microsoft's latest edition of SQL Server 2005 as it fills the gaps found by SqlClient developers as they first try to leverage the strengths of this new DBMS engine. It shows where the SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition is different, how and where it’s designed to be used and how to best leverage its features and avoid its issues. Over 80 pages long, this is the most complete work on the subject available anywhere. Included with the book are over a dozen code examples as illustrated in the book.

Posted by William Vaughn on November 10, 2006 4:32 PM |

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