I have created a Winforms application as a stand-alone program in VS2013 that uses a SQL Localdb .mdf database.
I have downloaded and installed the VS Installer Projects Extension, and created a Setup Project the best I can from the limited instructions available.
I have inserted the database .mdf and .inf files location to the application directory of the setup project.
I built the project and copied the setup and .msi files to a stick drive and installed the program onto another machine. all went well.
I started the application, which loaded fine and tried to access the data from the database It threw an error saying database engine not found.
checking the machine, the database and .inf files were in the application folder.
Checking the programs installed I find that there is no Localdb installed even though I told the program to check and download it in the solution properties along with the 4.5 framework.
Can I include the Localdb .msi program in the set up?
If so where do I put it.?
What do I need to do to install it on the stand alone machine from within the setup without any user involvement?
How do I tell the program to use it when it is installed.
I have had more problems trying to publish the application then I did writing it. Please don't suggest using InstallShield.
