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Using a database in a Windows application

I am developing a Microsoft Kinect game (for Windows) using C# and I need a local database to store information about players and their progress as well as more detailed information on their points and accuracy. I have never used a database within a Windows application and I was looking for some advice on how to do so. I have been trying to use SQL Server because it lets me create a database within Visual Studio. I have been unable to find many resources on how to interact with the database from within the C# application.
I really know very little about SQL Server so I do not know if it is the right choice for what I need. Does anyone have a suggestion for what sort of database system to use? Can you point me in the direction of some good resources/examples on how to do what I need to do?
Thanks so much!
Edit: I should also mention that I do have experience working with SQL.

There are other, more portable, solutions such as SQLite and SQL Server Compact Edition which do not require a separate server installation and are more easily accessed and distributed from within a standalone desktop application.
The usage can be largely compared to an external SQL server and/or Linq to SQL so the actual implementation should not be that hard.
Some interesting links:
How to: Deploy a SQL Server Compact 4.0 Database with an Application
An Introduction to SQL Server Compact Edition
As mentioned in another comment, a simple serialized XML file might also be enough for your use. It's fast, easy and if you don't need to perform any actual database operations but simply save and load everything then it might be more efficient.

Look into using a SQLDatasource and relevant tutorials. This will give you an easy way to get up and running without an intimate knowledge of SQL. Once you have the datasource setup and 'bound' to your database, you can use this to connect your controls (grids,labels,textboxes ect.) to it.
Check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w34BDhDPEEQ

You don't want the fully fledged SQL Server. SQL Server Compact Edition is more appropriate, or there's also SQLite for a non-Microsoft option.
The easiest way to interact with a database from C# is Entity Framework, which ships with .NET 4.5 or is downloadable as a nuget package for .NET 3.5 and .NET 4.
A different, non-relational-database option would be DB4O.

You could use Entity Framework
var player = db.Players.Where(x => x.playerId = id);
var points = player.points;
points =+ 100;
db.SaveChanges();
You could also write CRUD operations against the tables if you don't want to use an ORM

Basicly you will have to make a database with a table, using the GUI of Visual Studio.
Then where necessary in the code, you will have to create a connection with the database using a connectionstring. Then you will have to insert an SQL command using the SQLCommand class and execute it. This requires some knowledge about the SQL syntax, but just search what kind of command you want specifically now and in time you will get the hang of it. Don't forget to close the connection to the database when you are ready with writing or reading data.
I hope this gives the main idea.
Edit: Oh and for this kind of database SQL Server Compact will be enough.

.Net Best sql server to use

HI, I'm trying to create a simple database for my C# .NET application. It's easy enough to create a db and to run it locally, but I was wondering which is the best free one I should Use? Furthermore, I would also like the application to be easily deployable on multiple PCs (each with their own local db instance). What is the best tool for me to use?

SQLite is very popular.
http://www.sqlite.org/
I would also add they have fantastic support across many platforms and uses:
http://www.sqlite.org/whentouse.html

Take a look at the latest SQL Server Compact Edition. It's designed to be embedded so you can easily deploy with the right files added to your install / copy setup.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=0d2357ea-324f-46fd-88fc-7364c80e4fdb&displaylang=en

Postgres if you need this to be a serious solution, SQLite if it's a lightweight concern.
For my money, Nhibernate support is the important question.

If you're using .Net, why not use SQL Server Express Edition?

The Microsoft answer is SQL Server CE (Compact Edition): http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2005/en/us/compact.aspx
There is an isntaller, but it can also be deployed just by including a few DLLs.

The obvious answer should be the express edition of SQL Server :
http://www.microsoft.com/express/Database/
Personally I just use microsoft access most of the time for simple stuff.

Note that may users are suggesting SQL Server Compact Edition. It could be useful to know the difference. CE is much more limited, but easier to deploy. Sounds like CE is the better choice for your application.

How to start with database?

i have just started using visual studio 2008.I am working on c#.
I want to add SQL database particularly LOCAL database (.sdf) to my project and want to use queries which will save data in database and fetch some data from database and which will display and will perform different function.
So, if any body can give me any small tutorial or link that what are various types of databases i can use along with visual studio and and how will i be able to use it.
Any general tutorial will do.
Thanks a lot.
Regards,

Don't use .sdf databases.
I've worked with it but it was confusing. I was not able to use WHERE statements....
Use SQLite instead.
That is THE Solution.
Download SQLite here
Another tutorial

I recommend you the use of SQLite

Not sure why Gergen was unable to perform where statements. One issue I had with Compact edition was that I couldn't create stored procs or views. I don't have much experience with SQL Lite, so I can't give an opinion on that.
If you are doing web based stuff (i.e., asp.net), I found the following series a good introduction to database stuff: Data Access Tutorials
As for what database to use, as long as there's a provider for it, working with it via ADO.NET (or entity framework, or whatever) should be similar. If you are just starting, I'd probably recommend staying with the Compact Edition since most examples/tutorials you'll see will involved SQL Server.

For simple Local SQL database stores, there are quite a few solutions. A good full comparison can be found on from Wikipedia
SQL Express 2008
Out of process, runs as a windows service, supports stored procedures and views and does pretty much everything SQL standard does with few limitations. 50MB install.
Ideal for anything but large SQL deployments.
Loads of how to guides for SQL Express
SQL Compact Edition 3.5 (.sdf files)
In process, the code for accessing the database runs within the same process as your application. Ideal for embedded systems (point of sale, ATM, in-car systems etc...). Microsoft's equivilent to SQLite. Very small install (easy to deploy with app).
Getting started guide for SQL Compact Edition and a load of HowTos to get you going
SQLite
The non-Microsoft answer to an in process database. Pretty much the same functionality as SQL Compact Edition apart from it's a smaller install (300kb for SQLite vs. 2MB for SQL Compact edition), it supports larger database files (32TB for SQLite vs. 4GB for SQL Compact edition).
SQLite getting started article

Connecting to Microsoft SQL Server 2008 from Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 and 2008
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/s4yys16a(VS.71).aspx

I've never built anything using SQL Lite so I can't say much for it. I have, however, built several commercial applications using Compact Edition and haven't had any serious issues.
You can't batch commands with CE and the syntax is the same as Sql Server (with many missing features, but the most commonly used features are there and I've never had a problem without a work around of some sort).
I've really only used it as an "offline" database in an application for a company that dispatches repair technicians. The applications run on netbooks and download their data from a MySql database whenever mobile connectivity is available so they still have access to their work when they have no mobile coverage.
Due to it being so similar to SQL Server, Compact Edition would probably be an easier starting point. Since you're using a local database file you probably won't hit the 4GB limit (with very little pruning my mobile databases rarely exceed 20MB) - and if you ARE hitting that limit you may want to consider using a service based database (like Express) instead.

C# and MySql integration

How well does C# integrate with MySQL ?
I am planning to write a small desktop application that connects to a Database and displays records. Is C# and MySQL a good combination ?
Should I use Java Swings and MySQL ?
Thanks in advance

Yes, it is. You can use MySQL .Net Connector as mentioned.
Or better, you use ORM ( such as NHIbernate) to abstract away the database vendor. I use NHibernate with MySQL in my C# application and it works well.

As Ralph Stevens suggested, you'd better go with SQL Server 2008 Express. Visual Studio 2008 integrates neatly with it and can generate Linq To Sql plumbing code right off the database. With a few clicks you are ready to handle the database in every way imaginable.
If you code ASP .NET, there is an added benefit: The mdf file that contains the actual database information can be stored in the App_Data folder and that goes with the project itself rather than the database engine. That comes in handly when you distribute the code to coworkers.
MySQL would work just as well with its .NET Connector but you will lose the visual benefits.

They integrate quite well. You can use ODBC, or better yet, the new MySQL .Net Connector.

May be this links be use full for you, was for me, when I started :)
windows-programming.suite101.com and
bitdaddys.com

How big is your database requirement? .NET works much better with SQL Server. SQL Server Express can go up to 4 Gigs of data and it's free. It meets the requirements of most small to medium apps. I suggest SQL Server Express.

Single-user database options

I'm going to be writing a Windows application using the .NET framework and C#. The application will need to store relational data which will be queried, joined and processed.
Previously I've done this using SQL Server, but that is a total overkill for the application I am now making.
What's the simplest, easiest way to store relational data in my application? If I was on a Mac, I'd be using SQLite. What's the .NET equivalent?

If you are using VS 2008 and .NET 3.5, you can use SQL Server Compact Edition. It's not really a server at all, it runs in-proc with your app and provides a basic SQL database. The databases themselves are a single .sdf file and are deployed with your app. Since it's part of the framework, it also means there's no additional installation. Actually, It's not actually part of the framework, but it's easily redistributable. I'm using SQL Server CE for a personal project I'm currently working on, and it's turned out great so far.

SQL Server Express is what you want. It's free IIRC and easily scales into full-blown SQL Server when required.

Why cant you use SQLite? It works on windows.
SQLite Quick start.
Also see here for getting it to work with .NET http://web.archive.org/web/20100208133236/http://www.mikeduncan.com/sqlite-on-dotnet-in-3-mins/
So you could use SQLite if you wanted to but perhaps as others have pointed out SQL Express is a better option as you can upgrade to a full server if you need to in the future. Although from what you wrote i don't know if that's likely.

Sqlite is definitely the best option for embedded database for application storage.
It is free fast and reliable.

Sql Server Compact Edition (*.sdf files). Small enough for Smartphones but also available on the full platform. The .net 2 version was called Sql Server Mobile.
Here is a comparison between Compact and Express.

I haven't used it yet but if I was making a windows application and needed functionality similar to this I would use the built in windows database that's already on every single box of windows.
http://www.codeplex.com/ManagedEsent

You can use SQL Lite with .NET. In fact, if you are willing to keep your code so it can translate to mono, which encompasses most 2.0 (3.5 still upcoming), you can run your code on the Mac, as well, if you stick with SQL Lite:
http://mono-project.com/Main_Page
It really depends on how much bang you need. SQL Express, which has been mentioned numerous times in this thread, is SQL Server. It has some restrictions over full blown SQL Server, but it is the full SQL Server engine, so it is not a lite version, unless you think restricting a database to 4 GB makes it light. If you need heavier services like some Reporting, some message queueing (service broker), then SQL Express 2008 is your creature.
For lighter in the MS world, you can go with SQL Compact. As with SQL Lite, it is limited in scope, but you stated you need a lightweight database.
If you are really familiar with SQL Lite, I see no reason not to head that direction. Add a factory on top of your database access, just in case you change your mind. Then you will not have to rip up your entire app to switch databases.

Microsoft JET Blue.

If not sqlserver express, You may want to conisder Microsoft SQL Server Desktop Engine ( scaled down version of sqlserver) which is free in most cases. or MySQL which is also free. I'prefer mysql.

SQLite
Firebird
MySQL Embedded

I would say Microsoft Access. You need a licence though ...