Connection strings for SQL Server Compact Edition

.NET Compact Framework Data Provider for SQL Server Mobile

Type .NET Framework Class Library
Usage System.Data.SqlServerCe.SqlCeConnection
Manufacturer Microsoft

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Standard

Data Source=MyData.sdf;Persist Security Info=False;

 

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How to specify the location of the SDF file

Often times the .SDF database is not running in the current directory so it becomes necessary to programatically set the path to the SDF file. This is an example (.net C#) on how to do this when the SDF file is located in the same directory as the executing application.

Data Source=" + (System.IO.Path.GetDirectoryName(System.Reflection.Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly().GetName().CodeBase) + "\\MyData.sdf;Persist Security Info=False;

 

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Standard

Data Source=MyData.sdf;Persist Security Info=False;

 

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Specifying the maximum database size

The maximum size of the database is by default 128 MB. Override this by using the following connection string.

Data Source=MyData.sdf;Max Database Size=256;Persist Security Info=False;

 

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Specifying the maximum buffer size

The largest amount of memory that can be in use before the server starts flushing changes to disk is by default 640 kB. Override this by using the following connection string.

Data Source=MyData.sdf;Max Buffer Size=1024;Persist Security Info=False;

 

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Encryption enabled

Use this connection string to enable encryption on the database.

Data Source=MyData.sdf;Encrypt Database=True;Password=myPassword;File Mode=shared read;Persist Security Info=False;

The Encrypt Database="True" pair is really not necessary as the presence of the Password-parameter itself turns on encryption for the connection.

 

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Exclusive access

Use this one to disallow other processes from opening or modifying the database while you have it open.

Data Source=MyData.sdf;File Mode=Exclusive;Persist Security Info=False;

 

 

Read only access

Use this one to open a read-only copy of the database.

Data Source=MyData.sdf;File Mode=Read Only;Persist Security Info=False;

 

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Exclusive but shared for reading

Use this one to allow other processes to read, but not modify, the database while you have it open.

Data Source=MyData.sdf;File Mode=Shared Read;Persist Security Info=False;

 

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Specifying the maximum temp file size

The maximum size of the temporary database file is by default 128 MB. Override this by using the following connection string.

Data Source=MyData.sdf;Temp File Max Size=256;Persist Security Info=False;

 

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Microsoft.SQLSERVER.CE.OLEDB.3.5

Type OLE DB Provider
Usage Provider=Microsoft.SQLSERVER.CE.OLEDB.3.5
Manufacturer Microsoft

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Standard

Provider=Microsoft.SQLSERVER.CE.OLEDB.3.5;Data Source=myPath\myData.sdf;

 

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Microsoft.SQLSERVER.MOBILE.OLEDB.3.0

Type OLE DB Provider
Usage Provider=Microsoft.SQLSERVER.MOBILE.OLEDB.3.0
Manufacturer Microsoft

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Standard

Provider=Microsoft.SQLSERVER.MOBILE.OLEDB.3.0;Data Source=myPath\myData.sdf;

 

Copy

 

How to specify the location of the SDF file

Often times the .SDF database is not running in the current directory so it becomes necessary to programatically set the path to the SDF file. This is an example (.net C#) on how to do this when the SDF file is located in the same directory as the executing application.

Provider=Microsoft.SQLSERVER.MOBILE.OLEDB.3.0;Data Source=" + (System.IO.Path.GetDirectoryName(System.Reflection.Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly().GetName().CodeBase) + "\\MyData.sdf;

 

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Specifying the maximum database size

The maximum size of the database is by default 128 MB. Override this by using the following connection string.

Provider=Microsoft.SQLSERVER.MOBILE.OLEDB.3.0;Data Source=myPath\myData.sdf;SSCE:Max Database Size=256;

 

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Specifying the maximum buffer size

The largest amount of memory that can be in use before the server starts flushing changes to disk is by default 640 kB. Override this by using the following connection string.

Provider=Microsoft.SQLSERVER.MOBILE.OLEDB.3.0;Data Source=myPath\myData.sdf;SSCE:Max Buffer Size=1024;

 

Copy

 

Encryption enabled

Use this connection string to enable encryption on the database.

Provider=Microsoft.SQLSERVER.MOBILE.OLEDB.3.0;Data Source=myPath\myData.sdf;SSCE:Encrypt Database=True;

 

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Specifying the maximum temp file size

The maximum size of the temporary database file is by default 128 MB. Override this by using the following connection string.

Provider=Microsoft.SQLSERVER.MOBILE.OLEDB.3.0;Data Source=myPath\myData.sdf;SSCE:Temp File Max Size=256;

 

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Specifying location of temp file

Set the directory for the temp file location using this connection string.

Provider=Microsoft.SQLSERVER.MOBILE.OLEDB.3.0;Data Source=myPath\myData.sdf;SSCE:Temp File Directory="\myTempDir\";

 

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Supplying the database password

Use this connection string to provide the database password when opening the connection.

Provider=Microsoft.SQLSERVER.MOBILE.OLEDB.3.0;Data Source=myPath\myData.sdf;SSCE:Database Password='myPassword';

 

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.NET Framework Data Provider for OLE DB

Type .NET Framework Wrapper Class Library
Usage System.Data.OleDb.OleDbConnection
Manufacturer Microsoft

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Bridging to Microsoft.SQLSERVER.CE.OLEDB.3.5

This is just one connection string sample for the wrapping OleDbConnection class that calls the underlying OLEDB provider. See respective OLE DB provider for more connection strings to use with this class.

Provider=Microsoft.SQLSERVER.CE.OLEDB.3.5;Data Source=myPath\myData.sdf;

 

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