MS SQL Compact Edition Runtime

[glenharvy]

Hi Candice,

I am still anxious to purchase IA however there is no point in me doing so if I can't use it to install my project. SQL CE is the core of my application.

I've searched high and low for a "How To" and came up with the following posts with similar requests to mine. None of these posts resulted in any meaningful help:

Jan 22, 2007 http://www.installaware.com/forum/viewt ... ct+edition
July 12, 2007 http://www.installaware.com/forum/viewt ... ct+edition
Aug 1, 2007 http://www.installaware.com/forum/viewt ... ct+edition

Have I missed the obvious?

Being new to IA, saying that I can do it with two lines of code is not very helpful. No doubt that in a few months time I will be able to be flippant however my understanding of MSIcode is almost non-existant and I am not coming from a script based coding environment which does not help.

I am in the process of reading whitepapers that appear to be a mix of advertising/sales push and meaningful assistance. There is little technical discussion. Nevertheless, they have been useful in pointing me in the right direction.

I'm even looking at creating my own mia using the current SQL Express mia as an example but this is beyond me at present.

I'm sure you can understand my predicament as I need to learn a hell of a lot for what otherwise would/should be a one-click exercise, particularly for a runtime that has been available for ages. With the coming release of CE v3.5, I believe it's usage will increase substantially.

I can't afford to pay for consulting and am asking if someone at your technical support section couldn't put something togther and place in the forum for our reference. Frankly, if I am to believe your own sales pitch, someone with a little experience with IA should be able to put it together in a sanp of the fingers

Thank you and warm regards,

Glen.

PS: With USD tumbling like it is, IA is fast becoming a reasonably priced solution

[CandiceJones]

The easiest thing for you to do is switch to the Run Programs design view and specify to run your third party SQL installer right there. Before that you want to add the SQL installer to your project in the Creatives design view. That's it, two simple steps! If you are confused about either view, just press F1 and help is right there.

[glenharvy]

Ok - done.

I'll work on making it look fancy some other time

[glenharvy]

Be it ever so humble - I ended up with...

Apply Install (get result into variable SUCCESS)
if Variable SUCCESS not Equals ERROR
if Variable SUCCESS not Equals CANCEL
Set Variable SQLceExists to FALSE
Check Registry Key HKLM\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Uninstall\\{F0B430D1-B6AA-473D-9B06-AA3DD01FD0B8} into SQLceExists
if Variable SQLceExists Equals FALSE
Run Program $COMMONFILES$\\SQLServerCE31-EN.msi (WAIT)
end
end
end

It was also a good learning exercise, what with at least four mutiple search pages of the Community Support Forums kept open, reading one pdf extract of a magazine, another two pdf whitepapers and pressing F1 many times

When I get some time I'll figure out how to get SQLServerCE31-EN.msi out of my setup distribution and into a separate web thingerajig - should be fun

[Gizm0]

It's better to use (Un)Install MSI plugin for the .msi package. That way you can capture the progress and cancel it at any time you want.