As many of you know I've been hunting down a SQL CE alternative / embedded DB that is easily portable among handhelds.

It turns out, that without paying for some other DB, there really aren't any good ones... Unless you go GPL, and the interpretation of GPL that most are using is that your code too is GPL even though you may only Dynamically Link to their app.  I think this is likely wrong, but none the less I'm back here yet again.

What I'm looking for this time is a definition of how SQL Server CE is implemented, how it differs from a full blown DB, etc, so I can more thourally explain "why SQL CE" is an embedded DB, and how it isn't the full blown SQL Server that has a bad reputation with some.

My guess is:

SQL Server CE is implemented via DLL.  There aren't sockets etc to allow you to connect, and it operates more like an advanced hash on the file system.

Please correct me if i'm wrong, or... send me a link where I can further research.  Also, if you have another embedded DB as a suggestion, that's free of course, please point it my way.

Thanks!

You should start with the SQL Mobile Books OnLine - they explain the capabilities of SQL Mobile and how the engine and query processor work.  If, in your evaluation of SQL CE/SQL Mobile you have questions, MSDN and the BOL are a good place as well as a couple of years worth of posts on microsoft.public.sqlserver.ce (use Google Advanced Groups search on any topic in this group).

-Darren

InquiringMinds wrote:

Also, if you have another embedded DB as a suggestion, that's free of course, please point it my way.

An embedded object database for .NET and CF, free under the GPL:

http://www.db4o.com