Member Avatar for laura301019

Hi I am beginning by final year project which is an appointment system. I had planned to use Visual Studio and SQL Server for this but at the end of the year I have to submit my system to the uni on a disc, I was just wanting to know if this possible to do with using SQL Server? I am using my own laptop as the server. If I put my software on a disc would the uni be able to view it properly as the database connection won't be available.

Does anyone know of a way I can get Visual Studio and SQL server to work or would I be better taking a different software approach to my project?

  • 3 Contributors
  • 4 Replies
  • 182 Views
  • 4 Days Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by dany12

Dani AI

Generated

A common snag with student .NET projects is handing in only the app files on disc while the database lives on a running SQL instance. Practical, reproducible choices are to either make the database file self-contained or supply a reproducible script and an automated fallback so the grader can run the system without recreating the original server environment. ’s point about demoing from a laptop is valid, and ’s export idea can be turned into an automated import step — the notes below make those options concrete.

Embedded / lightweight-db option (least friction)

  • Use an embedded file-based engine so the database is a single file shipped on the disc (examples used in .NET apps: LocalDB-attached MDF or SQLite). Set the DB file to copy into the application output and use a relative path (|DataDirectory|) in the connection string so it runs out-of-the-box.
  • Example connection strings:
    
Data Source=(LocalDB)\v11.0;AttachDbFilename=|DataDirectory|\Appointments.mdf;Integrated Security=True;

Data Source=|DataDirectory|\appointments.db;Version=3;


- Include provider assemblies in the package and set the DB file property to “Copy to Output Directory”.

Script + installer + auto-create fallback (works if SQL Server must be used)
- Generate a single SQL script with schema + seed data (SSMS: Tasks -> Generate Scripts, include data). Ship that script with the project.
- Add a small startup routine that checks for the DB and, if missing, runs the script to create and populate the database automatically (or provide a one-click batch using sqlcmd to run the script). Provide clear credentials or use integrated security if appropriate.

Packaging checklist to include on the disc
- Built app (exe or deployable web package) and the database file OR a single SQL script/.bak with a small attach script.
- A short README with exact steps, prerequisites, connection string to edit (if needed) and test credentials.
- A short recorded demo (video or screenshots) showing core flows in case the grader cannot run the environment.
- A brief note about common pitfalls: absolute paths, missing provider DLLs, and SQL service not running (or LocalDB instance name differences).

This gives reproducibility and keeps the grading process simple while preserving a real database-backed implementation.

Recommended Answers

All 4 Replies

Member Avatar for JorgeM

If you are using visual studio, I'm assuming you will be developing this in asp.net?

So you need more than a disc. Will you have your laptop with you? If so, you can run the project from there using visual studio's dev server. You can have sql server express edition to host your DB.

It's not like MS Access where you can just save the .mdb file within your project.

Edited by JorgeM
Member Avatar for laura301019

Yea was wanting to develop in .net

Yea that's what I thought, the problem is at the end of the year we have to present the system which is fine because I can use my laptop but then we have to submit the project to the uni on a disc. That's what I was having problems with because I didn't think it was possible with the software I wanted to use. I think I may need to rethink software.

Member Avatar for JorgeM

I've taken courses before where you turn in your project files and the teacher simply uses the same IDE to run the project. In this case because of the SQL component, some addition config is needed on the teacher's side.

However if you are presenting in class, your teacher may just accept your project even if he/she cannot run it. The demo/presentation may be enough.

Another option is upload your web app to a hosts server and your teacher can see and access your site that way.

Just talk to your professor before you give up on the idea.

Member Avatar for dany12

Have you thought to use for uni version a file that can than be parsed and populate youe application with the necessary data.
Something like a xml or a excel document.
Hope this helps

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.