Summaries and Customer Reviews are supplied by Amazon.com

SQL Server Compact Edition is a slimmed down version of SQL Server that you can use on Pocket PCs, Smart phones, Tablet PCs, and Desktops. With this book, you will learn how to build applications for resource constrained devices. You’ll discover how the SQL Server Compact Edition database can also be used as an embedded in-proc database for desktop-based applications. You’ll learn how to manage the SQL Server Compact Edition database using SQL Server Management Studio, Visual Studio, and Query Analyzer.

Laptops, Tablet PCs, and mobile devices enable information workers to access enterprise data from remote locations. With the step-by-step exercises provided in this book, you’ll learn how to synchronize data between SQL Server and SQL Server Compact Edition. You’ll also learn Remote Data Access–a lightweight method to exchange data between SQL Server and SQL Server Compact Edition. Also in this book are code samples to help you write database applications for mobile devices and for desktop PCs. Throughout the book you’ll find expert tips for building and deploying enterprise applications.

Understand how to…

• Build mobile and desktop applications using SQL Server Compact Edition
• Set up the development and production environment with Visual Studio, SQL Server, and SQL Server Compact Edition
• Optimize performance and plan for security
• Manage databases using SQL Server Management Studio, Visual Studio, and Query Analyzer
• Develop applications using ADO.NET and OLEDB provider for SQL Server Compact Edition
• Upgrade from earlier versions of SQL CE, .NET Compact Framework, and Visual Studio
• Use Merge Replication to synchronize data between SQL Server and SQL Server Compact Edition
• Exchange data between SQL Server and SQL Server Compact Edition using Remote Data Access

Introduction 1

1 Getting Started with SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition 7

2 Platform Support and Installation35

3 Getting to Know the Tools 63

4 Managing the SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition Database 109

5 Defining Database Structure 131

6 Manipulating the Database 175

7 Programming SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition with ADO.NET 205

8 Introducing Native Access 247

9 Using Operators in SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition 279

10 Using the Built-In Functions 295

11 Upgrading from a Previous Version 327

12 Synchronizing Data with Merge Replication 345

13 Synchronizing Data with Remote Data Access 411

14 Securing the SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition Database 459

15 SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition Performance Tuning 505

Index 551

Average Customer Rating:

Wonderful Reference

Customer Rating:

SQL Server Compact Edition is meant for storing data on mobile devices such as Smartphones and PDA's or for inclusion in applications running disconnected on some user's laptop in an isolated environment. This wonderful book written by Prashant Dhingra and Trent Swanson, two Microsoft developers, is a large book about a small topic, SQL Server Compact Edition. The authors take the time to cover every aspect of working with Compact from installing it and working with the tools necessary to building your database, to programming, to synchronization with a central server, to (my favorite topic) tuning and (my least favorite) security. The book's approach is to provide you with plenty of explanations and documentation, but then to focus on step by step instructions so that you can do the things you need to do with this handy tool. The topics are not limited to the developer's side of the box, but instead spread out to cover installations, maintenance and various methods of synchronizing the data with central sources. All of it is covered in a great deal of depth, making this a very thorough book. They even go so far as to show you how to tune queries and adjust the database structure to optimize performance and enhance integrity. It's a very thorough book. If you're just getting started with SQL Server Compact, I can recommend this book as a must read. If you need to just support Compact, not necessarily develop on it, this book is also very useful.

Good for learning MS technologies.	Customer Rating:
SQL CE based app uses - VS, SQL Server, .NET, .NET CF, Windows Mobile and SQL CE.The book explain the landscpae and how various pieces fit together. The developer who want to learn all MS technologies can find it useful as example walkthrough them VS, SQL Server, .NET, ADO.NET, .NET CF, Windows Mobile, IIS Security technologies Ofcourse must for teams who are developing using SQL CE.

A good read

Customer Rating:

The sheer size of the book was pleasantly surprising considering the subject matter. I was expecting something a lot smaller. I agree with the other commenter that parts of it are a bit repetitive, but in the author's defense, it's a very fine line between being thorough and being repetitive and it's a lot better to err on the right side. I think he was clearly trying to make sure that newer developers got a firm basis in the technology even if it could be a little much. And, other than the first few chapters, there's nothing even approaching redundant. The strenght of the book is the depth of examples. Can I say that every single scenario I've ever encountered or can envision was covered? Probably not. Can I say that every scenario that you'd expect to encounter and many advanced ones that you run into rarely are covered - Absolutely. The code is there for all of it and the examples clearly state everything you need to understand about the example. Moreoever, I have not been through every samplem but I've been through a lot of them approaching just about all, and I have yet to find a problem with them. All in all I think the author did a phenomenal job and although it's a fairly dry (albeit critical) subject matter, the book is never boring. The coverage is always thorough and never leaves you wanting. He did as good of a job as can be done on this subject and his attention to detail is commendable. If you're interested in doing Sql Ce development, this book is a must have.

Great for novice or experienced SSCE users

Customer Rating:

The book provides a good overview of SSCE; although I did find quite a bit of repetative content, especially in the introduction and first 2 chapters. There are heaps of exercises and code examples to assist both the novice and experienced SSCE developer/administrator/windows mobile programmer and covers everything you'll need to know to get your first application running and/or synchronising with SQL Server 2005. [...]