Windows Form to website database?

[joe_pool_is]

I need to access our company's website database from a PC using a Windows Form.

 

We are using VS2008, but current policies restrict us to development under Framework 2.0 (i.e. VS2005).

 

How would I connect to a website's database? Is it just a special connection string or do I need to do more?

 

Questions for further down the road:

Our installer uses a Verisign security key that we purchased.

1. Will people see a Windows Firewall message asking them to accept or reject the connection?

2. Can an Installer add this firewall exception (to prevent #1 above)?

[PlausiblyDamp]

Depends how the database is being hosted - if it is part of your network then you might just be able to connect to it as normal.

 

If the database is hosted behind a firewall or similar you will be restricted to just http or https as a connection mechanism in which case you will have no direct access to the db.

In this case you might find that the easiest solution it to build a web service that will expose the functionality you need and call this from your windows app.

[joe_pool_is]

The application is for engineers working out in the field. They collect data, create projects, build reports from existing data, etc. when they are "off the grid."

 

At the end of the day, they want a Synchronize button that allows them to upload their data while downloading the latest data that has been uploaded from others.

 

I was really hoping someone made a magical connection string that enabled me to just act like my database was sitting right there beside me.

 

I suppose a web service is what I'd want. I've never dipped my toes in that water, though.

[PlausiblyDamp]

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=75FEF59F-1B5E-49BC-A21A-9EF4F34DE6FC&displaylang=en might be worth investigating then.

 

IIRC it does require VS 2008 though - however the time saved in this situation may justify the switch.

[joe_pool_is]

Thanks for the link!