In this post I’ll demonstrate how to connect to remote SQL Server from Smart Device projects.

What you’ll need:

• Visual Studio 2005/2008 Professional (Ideally with all available SP’s installed)
• Windows CE/Mobile SDK
• SQL Server Compact Edition 3.5 SP2. Remember, this is for desktop.
• A running SQL Server instance

Note: SQL Server instance must be configured to accept incoming connection. Also a make sure that firewall or antivirus does not block SQL Server connection port (Usually 1433).

Run VisualStudio 2008 and create a new SmartDevice project.

In the next screen select Windows CE as target platform and choose .Net Compact Framework 3.5.

Finally, select project type, e.g. Device Application.

Now add a reference to SqlClient.dll in ‘C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server Compact Edition\v3.5\Devices\Client\System.Data.SqlClient.dll’

Note: As you can see SqlClient.dll is inside SQL Server Compact’s binaries for Device. Naturally, this is not for Desktop.

The following is a sample for creating and opening connection:

using(SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection(GetConnectionString()))
{
	try
	{
		if(conn.ConnectionState != ConnectionState.Open)
			conn.Open();
	}
	catch(SqlException e)
	{
		// Log error, etc.
	}
}