Access database on handheld?

Hi!

I am going to make a small application for a customer. The customer want to
be able to register a couple of lines of data on a handheld device, transfer
the data to a ordinary access database and delete the registered records on
the handheld.

My plan so far is to use Visual Studio 2003 (C#) to write the logics and use
ActiveSync to transfer the data to the stationary Access database.

Some questions regarding this task:
1. Is there a simple database pre-installed on Pocket PC-devices?

2. If there is a database pre-installed: How do I access this database from
a windows form on the handheld?

3. How is the sync-operation carries out?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Rgds
Per Christian Paasche
Norway

Malcolm
Wed Apr 06 01:59:02 CDT 2005

Have you had a look at the wan SQL CE works?
It also supports replication between itself (on the device) and an SQL
server running on the PC the device docks with or even another PC on the
network.

"Billy" wrote:

> Hi!
>
> I am going to make a small application for a customer. The customer want to
> be able to register a couple of lines of data on a handheld device, transfer
> the data to a ordinary access database and delete the registered records on
> the handheld.
>
> My plan so far is to use Visual Studio 2003 (C#) to write the logics and use
> ActiveSync to transfer the data to the stationary Access database.
>
> Some questions regarding this task:
> 1. Is there a simple database pre-installed on Pocket PC-devices?
>
> 2. If there is a database pre-installed: How do I access this database from
> a windows form on the handheld?
>
> 3. How is the sync-operation carries out?
>
> Thanks in advance for your help!
>
> Rgds
> Per Christian Paasche
> Norway

Billy
Wed Apr 06 02:07:04 CDT 2005

My customer is using Access on his desktop so I have to syncronize (or
rather, update) his Access database from my Pocket PC. Can I do that from the
SQL CE, using for instance an ODBC-connection?

"Malcolm" wrote:

> Have you had a look at the wan SQL CE works?
> It also supports replication between itself (on the device) and an SQL
> server running on the PC the device docks with or even another PC on the
> network.
>
> "Billy" wrote:
>
> > Hi!
> >
> > I am going to make a small application for a customer. The customer want to
> > be able to register a couple of lines of data on a handheld device, transfer
> > the data to a ordinary access database and delete the registered records on
> > the handheld.
> >
> > My plan so far is to use Visual Studio 2003 (C#) to write the logics and use
> > ActiveSync to transfer the data to the stationary Access database.
> >
> > Some questions regarding this task:
> > 1. Is there a simple database pre-installed on Pocket PC-devices?
> >
> > 2. If there is a database pre-installed: How do I access this database from
> > a windows form on the handheld?
> >
> > 3. How is the sync-operation carries out?
> >
> > Thanks in advance for your help!
> >
> > Rgds
> > Per Christian Paasche
> > Norway

Arun
Wed Apr 06 04:23:31 CDT 2005

Hi Billy,
Pocket Access is omitted and SQL CE is provided in Compact Framework,
anyway

Check these links,

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnroad/html/road10222003.asp

http://www.devbuzz.com/content/zinc_dotnet_pocket_access_pg1.asp

How your PPC is connected, Is it always connected or occasionally
connected.
It is always good to use SQL Server CE, it is having lot of advantages
over access.
If you are always connected and use SQL CE, you can open an ODBC
connection to update otherwise you need to use web service to update
the Access desktop database.

Hope this helps,
Cheers,
Arun.
www.innasite.com

Billy
Wed Apr 06 06:41:04 CDT 2005

Thanks Arun,

The Pocket PC is only occasionally inserted into the cradle (once a day).

Is SQL CE a PPC database? What's the price for SQL CE single user licence
and where can I buy it?

Where can I find sample code and explanations about the web service needed
to syncronize to my desktop access database?

Thanks in advance for your help!

"Arun" wrote:

> Hi Billy,
> Pocket Access is omitted and SQL CE is provided in Compact Framework,
> anyway
>
> Check these links,
>
> http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnroad/html/road10222003.asp
>
> http://www.devbuzz.com/content/zinc_dotnet_pocket_access_pg1.asp
>
> How your PPC is connected, Is it always connected or occasionally
> connected.
> It is always good to use SQL Server CE, it is having lot of advantages
> over access.
> If you are always connected and use SQL CE, you can open an ODBC
> connection to update otherwise you need to use web service to update
> the Access desktop database.
>
> Hope this helps,
> Cheers,
> Arun.
> www.innasite.com
>
>

Arun
Wed Apr 06 07:00:25 CDT 2005

Hi Billy,

Here it is,
http://www.microsoft.com/sql/ce/

SQL SERVER CE Liscence:
SQL Server 2000 Developer Edition is the only edition of SQL Server
2000 that gives the licensee the right to download and install SQL
Server 2000 Windows CE Edition (SQL Server CE) from
http://www.microsoft.com/sql. The Developer Edition licensee also
has the right to redistribute SQL Server CE-based applications to an
unlimited number of devices at no additional cost beyond the
purchase price of SQL Server 2000 Developer Edition.

SQL Server CE
http://samples.gotdotnet.com/quickstart/CompactFramework/doc/sqlcedbcreate.aspx

Web Services
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/microsoft.public.sqlserver.ce/browse_thread/thread/b50ebd8cf43b3dd0/b3a8188b16ce3d75?q=&rnum=13#b3a8188b16ce3d75

http://groups-beta.google.com/group/microsoft.public.pocketpc.developer/browse_thread/thread/14abfb519953e0b9

Hope this helps,
Cheers,
Arun.
www.innasite.com

Billy
Wed Apr 06 07:29:02 CDT 2005

Thanks a lot Arun!!

I think I now have enough information to get started working on my project!

Have a nice day!

"Arun" wrote:

> Hi Billy,
>
> Here it is,
> http://www.microsoft.com/sql/ce/
>
> SQL SERVER CE Liscence:
> SQL Server 2000 Developer Edition is the only edition of SQL Server
> 2000 that gives the licensee the right to download and install SQL
> Server 2000 Windows CE Edition (SQL Server CE) from
> http://www.microsoft.com/sql. The Developer Edition licensee also
> has the right to redistribute SQL Server CE-based applications to an
> unlimited number of devices at no additional cost beyond the
> purchase price of SQL Server 2000 Developer Edition.
>
> SQL Server CE
> http://samples.gotdotnet.com/quickstart/CompactFramework/doc/sqlcedbcreate.aspx
>
> Web Services
> http://groups-beta.google.com/group/microsoft.public.sqlserver.ce/browse_thread/thread/b50ebd8cf43b3dd0/b3a8188b16ce3d75?q=&rnum=13#b3a8188b16ce3d75
>
> http://groups-beta.google.com/group/microsoft.public.pocketpc.developer/browse_thread/thread/14abfb519953e0b9
>
> Hope this helps,
> Cheers,
> Arun.
> www.innasite.com
>
>

David
Thu Apr 07 14:39:46 CDT 2005

SQL CE doesn't sync with Access databases.
Visual Studio and C# don't work with Access databases.

Pocket PC 2003 doesn't have supported APIs to work with Pocket Access
databases. Pocket PC 2002 did.

Microsoft recommends using SQL CE, but that syncs with a SQL Server ... not
Access. And connecting to SQL Server requires a server client license. So
using Access is not recommend.

David
------
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

"Billy" <Billy@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:45209A67-9C0A-4945-A5B5-20F972976C51@microsoft.com...
> Thanks a lot Arun!!
>
> I think I now have enough information to get started working on my
> project!
>
> Have a nice day!
>
> "Arun" wrote:
>
>> Hi Billy,
>>
>> Here it is,
>> http://www.microsoft.com/sql/ce/
>>
>> SQL SERVER CE Liscence:
>> SQL Server 2000 Developer Edition is the only edition of SQL Server
>> 2000 that gives the licensee the right to download and install SQL
>> Server 2000 Windows CE Edition (SQL Server CE) from
>> http://www.microsoft.com/sql. The Developer Edition licensee also
>> has the right to redistribute SQL Server CE-based applications to an
>> unlimited number of devices at no additional cost beyond the
>> purchase price of SQL Server 2000 Developer Edition.
>>
>> SQL Server CE
>> http://samples.gotdotnet.com/quickstart/CompactFramework/doc/sqlcedbcreate.aspx
>>
>> Web Services
>> http://groups-beta.google.com/group/microsoft.public.sqlserver.ce/browse_thread/thread/b50ebd8cf43b3dd0/b3a8188b16ce3d75?q=&rnum=13#b3a8188b16ce3d75
>>
>> http://groups-beta.google.com/group/microsoft.public.pocketpc.developer/browse_thread/thread/14abfb519953e0b9
>>
>> Hope this helps,
>> Cheers,
>> Arun.
>> www.innasite.com

Billy
Fri Apr 08 01:59:02 CDT 2005

Thanks for your update David!

My customer already has an Access-based application using Access as the
database. There is no possiblity to convert to SQL Server.

How should I write an application for a PPC-device that is to transfer data
registered on the PPC, to the Access database. There is no need for two-way
synconization, I only need to push data from the handheld to the Access
database. Of course I need to do some checking so I do not duplicate the data
already stored in the Access database.

Are there third-party products out there whicj can help me out as you know?

Thanks in advance for your support!

Rgds
Per Christian
Norway

"David Gonzales [MS]" wrote:

> SQL CE doesn't sync with Access databases.
> Visual Studio and C# don't work with Access databases.
>
> Pocket PC 2003 doesn't have supported APIs to work with Pocket Access
> databases. Pocket PC 2002 did.
>
> Microsoft recommends using SQL CE, but that syncs with a SQL Server ... not
> Access. And connecting to SQL Server requires a server client license. So
> using Access is not recommend.
>
> David
> ------
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
>
> "Billy" <Billy@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:45209A67-9C0A-4945-A5B5-20F972976C51@microsoft.com...
> > Thanks a lot Arun!!
> >
> > I think I now have enough information to get started working on my
> > project!
> >
> > Have a nice day!
> >
> > "Arun" wrote:
> >
> >> Hi Billy,
> >>
> >> Here it is,
> >> http://www.microsoft.com/sql/ce/
> >>
> >> SQL SERVER CE Liscence:
> >> SQL Server 2000 Developer Edition is the only edition of SQL Server
> >> 2000 that gives the licensee the right to download and install SQL
> >> Server 2000 Windows CE Edition (SQL Server CE) from
> >> http://www.microsoft.com/sql. The Developer Edition licensee also
> >> has the right to redistribute SQL Server CE-based applications to an
> >> unlimited number of devices at no additional cost beyond the
> >> purchase price of SQL Server 2000 Developer Edition.
> >>
> >> SQL Server CE
> >> http://samples.gotdotnet.com/quickstart/CompactFramework/doc/sqlcedbcreate.aspx
> >>
> >> Web Services
> >> http://groups-beta.google.com/group/microsoft.public.sqlserver.ce/browse_thread/thread/b50ebd8cf43b3dd0/b3a8188b16ce3d75?q=&rnum=13#b3a8188b16ce3d75
> >>
> >> http://groups-beta.google.com/group/microsoft.public.pocketpc.developer/browse_thread/thread/14abfb519953e0b9
> >>
> >> Hope this helps,
> >> Cheers,
> >> Arun.
> >> www.innasite.com
>
>
>

Arun
Fri Apr 08 02:33:10 CDT 2005

Hi Billy,

You need to go with Web Services (Cross platform availability) to sync
with your access database. I have provide links in my previous post
here to start developing Web services. For local PPC datastore you have
only one option using SQL server CE.

Cheers,
Arun.
www.innasite.com

Billy
Fri Apr 08 03:07:03 CDT 2005

OK, thanks Arun.

Does this outline of my project look ok:
SQL Server CE as database on PPC
Make forms for data entry on PPC using C# in Visual Studio 2003.
Make Web Service for transfering data from PPC to Access dekstop database.
The web service is running in IIS on desktop PC.

Requirements:
PPC with windows mobile 2003
desktop PC with Access database, IIS and .Net



"Arun" wrote:

> Hi Billy,
>
> You need to go with Web Services (Cross platform availability) to sync
> with your access database. I have provide links in my previous post
> here to start developing Web services. For local PPC datastore you have
> only one option using SQL server CE.
>
> Cheers,
> Arun.
> www.innasite.com
>
>

Arun
Fri Apr 08 05:20:20 CDT 2005

Yes Billy you are on right track.

Billy
Fri Apr 08 06:23:01 CDT 2005

ok, thanks.

One final question;

How is the web service called? It is supposed to be called when the ppc is
in the cradle. Is there an event I can use to register that the PPC is put in
the craddle?

BTW: It just struck my mind that if the PPC is on a WLAN-connection the
Access database can be updated "over the air" using the web service.



"Arun" wrote:

> Yes Billy you are on right track.
>
>

Arun
Fri Apr 08 06:40:42 CDT 2005

Hi Billy,

For detecting Active Sync Connection you can check this,

http://groups-beta.google.com/group/microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.compactframework/browse_thread/thread/17bead13bf234f1a

For WiFi try this link,
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.compactframework/browse_thread/thread/daa7e933091f8f2b/f0800d03f9489a83?q=detect+WiFi&rnum=4#f0800d03f9489a83

Hope this helps,
Cheers,
Arun.
www.innasite.com

David
Fri Apr 08 14:19:59 CDT 2005

> Make Web Service for transfering data from PPC to Access dekstop database.

How? Pocket PC knows nothing about the Access database format. Neither does
Web Services.

Billy, I think you could write a desktop program that gets raw information
from the Pocket PC (via Web Services). Then the desktop program will use
Access automation or some other method to put the data into the Access
database. There will be no direct link between the Pocket PC and Microsoft
Access.

David
------
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

"Arun" <arunkumarselvaraj@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1112955620.673613.94860@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> Yes Billy you are on right track.

"Billy" <Billy@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:59180C47-B5ED-43B9-AD2C-82ED8EE6247D@microsoft.com...
> OK, thanks Arun.
>
> Does this outline of my project look ok:
> SQL Server CE as database on PPC
> Make forms for data entry on PPC using C# in Visual Studio 2003.
> Make Web Service for transfering data from PPC to Access dekstop database.
> The web service is running in IIS on desktop PC.