BorlandTalk.com Borland discussion newsgroups   Archives   FAQ   Search   Memberlist   Usergroups   Register   Profile   Log in to check your private messages   Log in  Deploying SQL Express?          BorlandTalk.com Forum Index -> Delphi Databases (SQL Servers) View previous topic :: View next topic   Author Message Rob Uttley Guest Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 1:19 pm    Post subject: Deploying SQL Express? Has anyone got experience deploying SQL Express onto end-users machines? I'm very used to doing this kind of thing with Interbase, where I can write an installer to install the server as necessary, install the client connection stuff (if necessary), install my Delphi app and install a file containing the database. Piece of cake. I keep going round in circles with SQL Express - is there an easy way to bundle up the server software, my Delphi application and a database file so that I can give an end-user a CD and let them get on with it? I keep finding MSDN references that leave me feeling like I'm supposed to get the end-user to install the server software separately from my application, and then that I have to jump through further hoops to get an existing database file up and running. I installed Visual Studio 2005 as I thought this might give me a 'database project deployment' option that I could trick into deploying my Delphi exe, but I can't see any obvious way to do this from the VS front-end either. I guess I'm just looking for a tutorial or a push in the right direction... at the moment I've split out the contents of SQLEXPR32 into a folder and I'm looking at controlling what/how it installs via some commandline options, but I'm a little concerned about the Windows 3.x installer and .Net 2.0 framework pre-requirements on the end-users machine. Any suggestions or links would be really appreciated. Thanks, Rob Back to top Rob Uttley Guest Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 2:04 pm    Post subject: Re: Deploying SQL Express? In article <2vdm33hb9837u4jp9n805sh3c6g1u246d5 (AT) 4ax (DOT) com>, dontbother (AT) emailingme (DOT) com (CC) wrote: Quote: What you're trying to do is probably not legal. Bundling somebody else's software with yours is probably against the EUL. Uh... with respect, are you possibly confusing SQL Express with another product? SQL Express is what used to be known as MSDE, the redistributable cut-down SQL Server engine. I have Visual Studio 2005 and from what I can make of the documentation, Microsoft are fine with me developing solutions that use SQL Express and distributing it, as part of my own solution, out to my customers. I can see how opening up the Microsoft installer might not be legal, but I'm there at the moment in desperation - I'm not trying to do anything out of the spirit of the re-distribution of SQL Express as far as I can see. I'm just trying to find a way to install SQL Express, and my application, and a database file, in a single GUI-based installer. My application happens to be written in Delphi, but could be written in VB/C# etc as far as the database server is concerned. Everything I've seen on the MSDN seems to be pushing me to getting the end-user to download SQL Express from Microsoft then run my own installer to add my application and possibly configure a database, and I just want a simple self-contained installer that I can put on a CD and doesn't require web-access or 35Mb-downloads. Many thanks Rob Back to top Rob Uttley Guest Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 4:22 pm    Post subject: Re: Deploying SQL Express? Thanks Brian - that is helpful. I wonder why I didn't find this when I was searching the documentation earlier. One trick I found buried in the documentation was the use of the commandline option /x to get MS's installer to spit the contents of the package into a folder (rather than into a temporary folder that you can't get to, which it what it does by default) ie "SQLEXPR32 /X" will get you a prompt, into which you can select a folder. In light of your second post, I'll keep you informed about how I get on. My ideal would be; 1) check that the user had local admin rights 2) check that .net 2.0 framework is installed 3) install SQL Express onto the machine 4) deploy a pre-populated database (ie, it contains some info already) 5) install my Delphi application 6) reboot (I presume it will probably be necessary!) 7) (having previously set-up RunOnce) try to get my app started. All being well I can do this easily either from Wise (which I know quite well) or by some fairly-painless-process using Visual Studio 2005. :-) I know, I know - I'm an optimist! Kind regards Rob In article <463b5b10$1 (AT) newsgroups (DOT) borland.com>, bhollisterATfuturaintlDOTcom (Brian Hollister) wrote: Quote: This article covers how to install from the command prompt, http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms144259.aspx#installationscrip ts. Maybe you can use this info to help, Brian -- Got a big event coming up? Let us help coordinate your event. For more visit www.kissemgoodbye.com "Rob Uttley" <rob (AT) robsoft (DOT) co.uk> wrote in message news:memo.20070504150459.3652B (AT) robsoft (DOT) compulink.co.uk... In article <2vdm33hb9837u4jp9n805sh3c6g1u246d5 (AT) 4ax (DOT) com>, dontbother (AT) emailingme (DOT) com (CC) wrote: What you're trying to do is probably not legal. Bundling somebody else's software with yours is probably against the EUL. Uh... with respect, are you possibly confusing SQL Express with another product? SQL Express is what used to be known as MSDE, the redistributable cut-down SQL Server engine. I have Visual Studio 2005 and from what I can make of the documentation, Microsoft are fine with me developing solutions that use SQL Express and distributing it, as part of my own solution, out to my customers. I can see how opening up the Microsoft installer might not be legal, but I'm there at the moment in desperation - I'm not trying to do anything out of the spirit of the re-distribution of SQL Express as far as I can see. I'm just trying to find a way to install SQL Express, and my application, and a database file, in a single GUI-based installer. My application happens to be written in Delphi, but could be written in VB/C# etc as far as the database server is concerned. Everything I've seen on the MSDN seems to be pushing me to getting the end-user to download SQL Express from Microsoft then run my own installer to add my application and possibly configure a database, and I just want a simple self-contained installer that I can put on a CD and doesn't require web-access or 35Mb-downloads. Many thanks Rob Back to top CC Guest Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 6:42 pm    Post subject: Re: Deploying SQL Express? On Fri, 4 May 2007 14:19 +0100 (BST), rob (AT) robsoft (DOT) co.uk (Rob Uttley) wrote: Quote: I guess I'm just looking for a tutorial or a push in the right direction... at the moment I've split out the contents of SQLEXPR32 into a folder and I'm looking at controlling what/how it installs via some commandline options, but I'm a little concerned about the Windows 3.x installer and .Net 2.0 framework pre-requirements on the end-users machine. What you're trying to do is probably not legal. Bundling somebody else's software with yours is probably against the EUL. Back to top Brian Hollister Guest Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 9:11 pm    Post subject: Re: Deploying SQL Express? This article covers how to install from the command prompt, http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms144259.aspx#installationscripts. Maybe you can use this info to help, Brian -- Got a big event coming up? Let us help coordinate your event. For more visit www.kissemgoodbye.com "Rob Uttley" <rob (AT) robsoft (DOT) co.uk> wrote in message news:memo.20070504150459.3652B (AT) robsoft (DOT) compulink.co.uk... Quote: In article <2vdm33hb9837u4jp9n805sh3c6g1u246d5 (AT) 4ax (DOT) com>, dontbother (AT) emailingme (DOT) com (CC) wrote: What you're trying to do is probably not legal. Bundling somebody else's software with yours is probably against the EUL. Uh... with respect, are you possibly confusing SQL Express with another product? SQL Express is what used to be known as MSDE, the redistributable cut-down SQL Server engine. I have Visual Studio 2005 and from what I can make of the documentation, Microsoft are fine with me developing solutions that use SQL Express and distributing it, as part of my own solution, out to my customers. I can see how opening up the Microsoft installer might not be legal, but I'm there at the moment in desperation - I'm not trying to do anything out of the spirit of the re-distribution of SQL Express as far as I can see. I'm just trying to find a way to install SQL Express, and my application, and a database file, in a single GUI-based installer. My application happens to be written in Delphi, but could be written in VB/C# etc as far as the database server is concerned. Everything I've seen on the MSDN seems to be pushing me to getting the end-user to download SQL Express from Microsoft then run my own installer to add my application and possibly configure a database, and I just want a simple self-contained installer that I can put on a CD and doesn't require web-access or 35Mb-downloads. Many thanks Rob Back to top Brian Hollister Guest Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 9:11 pm    Post subject: Re: Deploying SQL Express? BTW, i have not done this yet but will be in the next few weeks as our port poroject gets nearer to an end...So i am very interested in how this turns out for you.... brian -- Got a big event coming up? Let us help coordinate your event. For more visit www.kissemgoodbye.com "Brian Hollister" <bhollisterATfuturaintlDOTcom> wrote in message news:463b5b10$1 (AT) newsgroups (DOT) borland.com... Quote: This article covers how to install from the command prompt, http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms144259.aspx#installationscripts. Maybe you can use this info to help, Brian -- Got a big event coming up? Let us help coordinate your event. For more visit www.kissemgoodbye.com "Rob Uttley" <rob (AT) robsoft (DOT) co.uk> wrote in message news:memo.20070504150459.3652B (AT) robsoft (DOT) compulink.co.uk... In article <2vdm33hb9837u4jp9n805sh3c6g1u246d5 (AT) 4ax (DOT) com>, dontbother (AT) emailingme (DOT) com (CC) wrote: What you're trying to do is probably not legal. Bundling somebody else's software with yours is probably against the EUL. Uh... with respect, are you possibly confusing SQL Express with another product? SQL Express is what used to be known as MSDE, the redistributable cut-down SQL Server engine. I have Visual Studio 2005 and from what I can make of the documentation, Microsoft are fine with me developing solutions that use SQL Express and distributing it, as part of my own solution, out to my customers. I can see how opening up the Microsoft installer might not be legal, but I'm there at the moment in desperation - I'm not trying to do anything out of the spirit of the re-distribution of SQL Express as far as I can see. I'm just trying to find a way to install SQL Express, and my application, and a database file, in a single GUI-based installer. My application happens to be written in Delphi, but could be written in VB/C# etc as far as the database server is concerned. Everything I've seen on the MSDN seems to be pushing me to getting the end-user to download SQL Express from Microsoft then run my own installer to add my application and possibly configure a database, and I just want a simple self-contained installer that I can put on a CD and doesn't require web-access or 35Mb-downloads. Many thanks Rob Back to top Pepe Taboada Guest Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 6:08 pm    Post subject: Re: Deploying SQL Express? Rob, just for the sake of it. Is you app a win32 or .Net app. I'm writting one in Delphi also, a Win32 app, and found that when you deploy you app you can't attach your database to SQL Express with code unless your app is a .NET app. Thanks Pepe Back to top CC Guest Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 7:13 pm    Post subject: Re: Deploying SQL Express? On Sat, 5 May 2007 09:08:32 -0400, "Pepe Taboada" <pepet (AT) laminall (DOT) com> wrote: Quote: Rob, just for the sake of it. Is you app a win32 or .Net app. I'm writting one in Delphi also, a Win32 app, and found that when you deploy you app you can't attach your database to SQL Express with code unless your app is a .NET app. Please show this with code. Back to top Brian Hollister Guest Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 7:14 pm    Post subject: Re: Deploying SQL Express? Pepe, <cut>you can't attach your database to SQL Express with code </cut> Do you mean that you cannot open a connection to it or do you mean that you cannot run sp_attach_db? Thanks, brian -- Got a big event coming up? Let us help coordinate your event. For more visit www.kissemgoodbye.com "Pepe Taboada" <pepet (AT) laminall (DOT) com> wrote in message news:463c81d4$1 (AT) newsgroups (DOT) borland.com... Quote: Rob, just for the sake of it. Is you app a win32 or .Net app. I'm writting one in Delphi also, a Win32 app, and found that when you deploy you app you can't attach your database to SQL Express with code unless your app is a .NET app. Thanks Pepe Back to top Pepe Taboada Guest Posted: Sun May 06, 2007 1:52 am    Post subject: Re: Deploying SQL Express? Brian, I mean I can't use, sp_attach_db, in my Win32 app. Since my customer is local on the first day I attached the database manually and put this code in the Main's form create event: if ADOConnection1.ConnectionString = '' then begin ConnecString := 'Provider=SQLOLEDB.1; Integrated Security=SSPI; Persist Security Info=False; Initial Catalog=QnsContract; Data Source=.\SQLEXPRESS'; ADOConnection1.ConnectionString := PromptDataSource(Handle, ConnecString); ADOConnection1.Connected := True; end;//if ADOConnection1.ConnectionString = '' then As you can imagine this would no be convinient if my customer were across the country. I remembering reading somewhere in Microsoft's web site something that said you can only use "sp_attach_db" on .NET apps. If you have any solutions to my problem on suggestion I would greatly appreciated Thanks Pepe Back to top Brian Hollister Guest Posted: Sun May 06, 2007 1:54 am    Post subject: Re: Deploying SQL Express? Pepe, In your connection string i see that you are using, "Initial Catalog=QnsContract". I wonder if you connect to master instead and execute sp_attach_db, allow it to finish, disconnect from master, and finally connect to QnsContract. I wonder if that would work? thx, Brian -- Got a big event coming up? Let us help coordinate your event. For more visit www.kissemgoodbye.com "Pepe Taboada" <pepe.taboada (AT) verizon (DOT) net> wrote in message news:463cee48$1 (AT) newsgroups (DOT) borland.com... Quote: Brian, I mean I can't use, sp_attach_db, in my Win32 app. Since my customer is local on the first day I attached the database manually and put this code in the Main's form create event: if ADOConnection1.ConnectionString = '' then begin ConnecString := 'Provider=SQLOLEDB.1; Integrated Security=SSPI; Persist Security Info=False; Initial Catalog=QnsContract; Data Source=.\SQLEXPRESS'; ADOConnection1.ConnectionString := PromptDataSource(Handle, ConnecString); ADOConnection1.Connected := True; end;//if ADOConnection1.ConnectionString = '' then As you can imagine this would no be convinient if my customer were across the country. I remembering reading somewhere in Microsoft's web site something that said you can only use "sp_attach_db" on .NET apps. If you have any solutions to my problem on suggestion I would greatly appreciated Thanks Pepe Back to top Carlos Fandango Guest Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 12:13 am    Post subject: Re: Deploying SQL Express? sp_attach_db has no restrictions by connection type. However your initial catalog must be valid, so if QnsContract is the db you want to attach it can not be your initial catalog, try master, model or msdb. -Euan "Pepe Taboada" <pepe.taboada (AT) verizon (DOT) net> wrote in message news:463cee48$1 (AT) newsgroups (DOT) borland.com... Quote: Brian, I mean I can't use, sp_attach_db, in my Win32 app. Since my customer is local on the first day I attached the database manually and put this code in the Main's form create event: if ADOConnection1.ConnectionString = '' then begin ConnecString := 'Provider=SQLOLEDB.1; Integrated Security=SSPI; Persist Security Info=False; Initial Catalog=QnsContract; Data Source=.\SQLEXPRESS'; ADOConnection1.ConnectionString := PromptDataSource(Handle, ConnecString); ADOConnection1.Connected := True; end;//if ADOConnection1.ConnectionString = '' then As you can imagine this would no be convinient if my customer were across the country. I remembering reading somewhere in Microsoft's web site something that said you can only use "sp_attach_db" on .NET apps. If you have any solutions to my problem on suggestion I would greatly appreciated Thanks Pepe Back to top Pepe T Guest Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 8:11 am    Post subject: Re: Deploying SQL Express? Brian, Carlos, my code works as is. Maybe I wasn't clear. I want to deploy my app and my database files with a simple copy command; and make a connection to my database automatically without the customer having to attach it manually using SQL Server Management Studio. Remenber my ADOQueries and ADOConnection are hardcoded in my app. When I give my customer the related tables I manually attach the database in Management Studio but I want to avoid this step and do it within my code. Thanks Pepe PD. Any suggestion will be appreciated. Back to top Bill Todd Guest Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 1:28 am    Post subject: Re: Deploying SQL Express? Both Brian and Carlos have told you how to attach the database from code. 1) Connect to the master database. 2) Call the sp_attach_db stored procedure. Have you tried this? If you have a problem with these two steps let us know. -- Bill Todd (TeamB) Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First         BorlandTalk.com Forum Index -> Delphi Databases (SQL Servers) All times are GMT Page 1 of 1   Jump to: Select a forum C++ Builder Newsgroups----------------C++ BuilderC++ Builder (ActiveX)C++ Builder (Announcements)C++ Builder (Command Line Tools)C++ Builder DatabasesC++ Builder Databases (ADO)C++ Builder Databases (Desktop)C++ Builder Databases (InterBase Express)C++ Builder Databases (Multi-Tier)C++ Builder Databases (SQL Servers)C++ Builder (Graphics)C++ Builder (IDE)C++ Builder (Internet)C++ Builder (Internet Socket)C++ Builder (Internet Web)C++ Builder (Jobs)C++ Builder (Language)C++ Builder (Language C++)C++ Builder (Compatibility with MFC)C++ Builder (Native API)C++ Builder (Non-Technical)C++ Builder (Students)C++ Builder (Third Party Tools)C++ Builder (Upgrade)C++ Builder (VCL)C++ Builder (VCL Components Usage)C++ Builder (VCL Components Development)C++ Builder (VCL Usage)C++ Builder (WinAPI)C++ Builder Installation Delphi Newsgroups----------------Delphi (General)Delphi ActiveX Controls UsageDelphi ActiveX Controls DevelopmentDelphi As400Delphi DatabasesDelphi Databases (ADO)Delphi Databases (dbExpress)Delphi Databases (Desktop)Delphi Databases (InterBase Express)Delphi Databases (Multi-Tier)Delphi Databases (SQL Servers)Delphi DeploymentDelphi GraphicsDelphi IDEDelphi InternationalizationDelphi InternetDelphi Internet Isapi-WebBrokerDelphi Internet WebSnapDelphi Internet WinsockDelphi JobsDelphi Language BASMDelphi Language ObjectPascalDelphi Model Driven Architecture (General)Delphi Model Driven Architecture (Third Party)Delphi MultimediaDelphi Native APIDelphi Non-TechnicalDelphi ObjectPascalDelphi OLE AutomationDelphi OO designDelphi OpenToolsAPIDelphi Reporting-ChartingDelphi RTLDelphi StudentsDelphi TeamSourceDelphi Thirdparty ToolsDelphi Thirdparty Tools (General)Delphi Thirdparty Tools (IntraWeb)Delphi Thirdparty Tools (RaveReports)Delphi UpgradeDelphi VCLDelphi VCL ComponentsDelphi VCL Components UsingDelphi VCL Components WritingDelphi WebServices SOAPDelphi WinAPIDelphi XMLDelphi Installationcomp.lang.pascal.delphi.components.misccomp.lang.pascal.delphi.components.usagecomp.lang.pascal.delphi.components.writingcomp.lang.pascal.delphi.databasescomp.lang.pascal.delphi.misccomp.sources.delphi JBuilder Newsgroups----------------JBuilderJBuilder AnnouncementsJBuilder Applet IssuesJBuilder As400JBuilder CompilerJBuilder CORBA/RMIJBuilder DatabasesJBuilder DB SwingJBuilder DebuggerJBuilder DeploymentJBuilder DocumentationJBuilder EnterpriseJBuilder HandheldJBuilder IDEJBuilder JavaJBuilder JavaAPIJBuilder Java LanguageJBuilder Java SwingJBuilder Java BeansJBuilder Java Beans UsageJBuilder Java Beans DevelopmentJBuilder JBCLJBuilder JDataStoreJBuilder JobsJBuilder LinuxJBuilder MacintoshJBuilder & MobileSetJBuilder MultiLingual AppsJBuilder Non-TechnicalJBuilder OpenToolsJBuilder Servlets (JSP)JBuilder StudentsJBuilder Team DevelopmentJBuilder Thirdparty ToolsJBuilder UpgradeJBuilder Installation InterBase Newsgroups----------------InterBaseInterBase Bug DiscussionInterBase GeneralInterBase IBConsoleInterBase OpenSourceInterBase ReplicationInterBase SQLInterBase ThirdpartyInterBase Installation Miscellaneous Borland Newsgroups----------------AppCenterAppServerEnteraVisiBroker  You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2006 phpBB Group SEO toolkit © 2004-2006 webmedic.