Re: Use a database like a resource - C# Discussion Boards

Mycroft Holmes4-Jul-10 12:47

Mycroft Holmes

4-Jul-10 12:47

Some suggestion - I don't use single shot databases.

The database should be included in your deployment and placed in either your application folder or the users application data folder, the one that turns up as a special folder.

Now you have a relative or stable path to the database and can use that instead of the registry.

2 reasons not to use the registry.
User requires admin rights which may not be available
Registry is sooo 90s

Never underestimate the power of human stupidity
RAH

Steven Solberg4-Jul-10 21:08

4-Jul-10 21:08

Oops, I should have mentioned this...
I am using the Express at the moment. I can't make deployment projects in the express version.
I can relate with your signature at the moment D'Oh! | :doh:

Off-topic: Is it even profitable for a programmer to buy Visual Studio Professional and start freelance or is that just a really dumb idea?

Mycroft Holmes4-Jul-10 21:28

Mycroft Holmes

4-Jul-10 21:28

Steven Solberg wrote:
Off-topic

That depends on so many variables it will not make sense to answer it definitively. Country, cost os tools, market, development skills, marketing skills and not least family commitments are all key ingredients to this decision.

There are a number of articles on CP that are well worth reading. You do need to be careful who you take advice from, I went broke in the 90's as a freelance developer/architect/consultant (thats why I point you to someone elses advice). You also need a fair bit of business nous to may a success of it.

Never underestimate the power of human stupidity
RAH

Steven Solberg4-Jul-10 21:47

4-Jul-10 21:47

Thanks for your honest reply.

I do 'aim' (cant't find the right word here) for a career in software development. As a freelancer or under contract by a company. I just finished my 3rd year of education as a bachelor in engineering specialization ICT. Next year will be my last, giving me a masters degree. I feel this is the way to go for me. Since my grades are well above average and my grades in programming are way above average. Mostly because of my immense (no really, I eat C# for breakfast Laugh | :laugh:

) curiosity toward the subject and second my fast learning and being able to understand code without the help of others. For most part that is. I still have quite a way to go, but I can't think of anything else that drives me more than developing software Roll eyes | :rolleyes:

Would you recommend bying a copy of Studio 2008 on Ebay or anything? With the item still being in the box of course.
Some of the prices I have seen are around 150 euros. That sounds like a bargain to me *Hopping up and down my chair*

Mycroft Holmes4-Jul-10 22:00

Mycroft Holmes

4-Jul-10 22:00

Steven Solberg wrote:
Some of the prices I have seen are around 150 euros

If it sounds too good to be true and especially if it is on the net then it is not genuine. These will be pirate copies.

I beleive there may be a 'spark' program from Microsoft that may apply to being a student where you can get a legal version very cheaply.

As a freelancer you need MUCH more than just programming skills. Without experience you are in a very difficult position. Try and get some "intern" type work or do some freebie stuff for school/uni/charity just to get the experience. Start looking to the big companies for junior roles.

Never underestimate the power of human stupidity
RAH

Luc Pattyn5-Jul-10 0:18

5-Jul-10 0:18

Have a look here[^], and tell us what you think about it.

Smile | :)

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Steven Solberg5-Jul-10 0:49

5-Jul-10 0:49

Wow, that looks really interesting Smile | :)

That might be exactly what I have been looking for Big Grin | :-D

Thanks a bunch

Steven Solberg5-Jul-10 1:07

5-Jul-10 1:07

Having looked it through, I don't think this is the best solution for me. Not at the present time that is. BizSpark aims on helping companies start easier. But since I'm only a single person, this could really cost me quite some money in the end.
But thanks for the feedback guys. It's appreciated.

Luc Pattyn5-Jul-10 1:11

5-Jul-10 1:11

you need some legal entity if you want to generate invoices anyway; so why not start as a one-person company ("BVBA", "starter BVBA") or an independent ("zelfstandige")?

Smile | :)

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Steven Solberg5-Jul-10 1:18

5-Jul-10 1:18

I've got a lot of reading ahead of me... OMG | :OMG:

This is what Mycroft Holmes was talking about.
Right now I have got no clue anymore were to begin.
Are there any good 'for dummies' books about this? Laugh | :laugh:

We're going totally off-topic by the way. Not that I really mind though.
Luc pattyn now you are here anyway and to get a little more on-topic. Do you know any way to refer to a database file in the application code? To my understanding including them in the deployment only works in the versions other than express. But to do it in express? Read my previous posts for more info.

Luc Pattyn5-Jul-10 1:26

5-Jul-10 1:26

1. UNIZO[^] has a 5-evening introductory course which is pretty good.

2.
I'm no expert on these topics; what I do is store the connection string in the application settings, which means manual intervention (editing a text file) upon installation. I was hoping to learn other ways from this thread!

Smile | :)

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Steven Solberg5-Jul-10 1:27

5-Jul-10 1:27

Hehe

2) So am I
Laugh | :laugh:

Steven Solberg6-Jul-10 22:32

6-Jul-10 22:32

I found something nice to link to the database
When checking out some files in the manifests and such I found this.

This I a copy of myapp.exe.config

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<configuration>
    <configSections>
    </configSections>
    <connectionStrings>
        <add name="WindowsFormsApplication1.Properties.Settings.databaseConnectionString" connectionString="Data Source=|DataDirectory|\database.sdf" providerName="Microsoft.SqlServerCe.Client.3.5"/>
    </connectionStrings>
<startup><supportedRuntime version="v2.0.50727"/></startup></configuration>

However, it doesn't show up when I type 'Properties.Settings.' in my code, but I think I'm getting close Wink | ;)

Luc Pattyn6-Jul-10 23:23

6-Jul-10 23:23

This[^] may help.

Smile | :)

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Kevin Marois6-Jul-10 7:34

Kevin Marois

6-Jul-10 7:34

I got turned down by BizSpark 2 weeks ago. No reason why, just "You don't meet the requirements" sort of thing. Of course, I met the requirements they listed. Some kind of concrete answer would have been nice.

Everything makes sense in someone's mind

Luc Pattyn6-Jul-10 7:36

6-Jul-10 7:36

That's weird. I haven't applied myself yet, I plan on doing so later this year. I would like to hear more about it from people who were accepted though.

Smile | :)

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Kevin Marois6-Jul-10 7:38

Kevin Marois

6-Jul-10 7:38

I got pointed to BizSpark by a guy I work with who got accepted. He and others all told me, "No one everr gets denied". Of course, I got denied.

I'll apply again in the not too distant future and see what happens.

Everything makes sense in someone's mind

Roger Wright5-Jul-10 19:29

Roger Wright

5-Jul-10 19:29

Just my two cents worth...

VS Professional is a huge waste of money for anyone who does not regularly earn an income from software development. I've been an idiot for about 15 years by buying the Professional version just so I wouldn't be missing anything I might need while playing with the toys. I've squandered thousands doing so, to no benefit. The last version, VS2008, I finally wised up and really looked at the features included in all the versions. I found that, while the professional version contains things useful for teams of developers, there is no value added for the hobbyist or a solo developer, so I saved a bundle and bought the Standard version.

Microsoft appears to be on to me now, since there is no Standard version offered in VS2010 that I can find. I guess it's their goal to eliminate people like me, as I don't qualify for the BizSpark program, and have no intention of shelling out the ridiculous price they are asking for the Professional version. But I'll carry on with VS2008 as long as I can, and expect to one day be the last VS2008 developer on the planet, writing apps to entertain myself on the last remaining WindowsXP SP3 machine on Earth. Big Grin | :-D

Look into the BizSpark program if you're really interested in becoming a freelance developer - you won't find better pricing, and they may be able to help you get started in other ways. Good luck! Smile | :)

"A Journey of a Thousand Rest Stops Begins with a Single Movement"

Steven Solberg5-Jul-10 20:13

5-Jul-10 20:13

Since we both have Windows XP SP3 and like VS2008 we should write apps for eachother Laugh | :laugh:

Seriously now... I didn't even now about a standard version. I will check that out.
I looked at ebay and found a 2008 Pro version for 160 euros. A friend of mine uses ebay quite regularly (not sure about this word Sniff | :^)

) and he thought it to be legit. But I'm going to lookup that Standard version first.

Steven Solberg5-Jul-10 20:24

5-Jul-10 20:24

Okay... I just did the biggest WTF?? in my life.

Check this out:
http://www.microsoft.com/express/support/support-faq.aspx[^]

Then search for the word 'commercial'. I wonder what the hell I have been wasting so much time on because THAT is definitely not what I read in the EULA of express.