Why is SQL Server required

RickH

Just upgraded to 6.12.3.697 and SmartAssembly project will not build because we do not use sql server. We have never used the error reporting feature nor do we have any intentions too. So why are we being forced to have a sql server database?

Jessica R

Hi @RickH!

Previous versions of SmartAssembly used to let you decide between using an mdb database (the default option) and a SQL Server database to store information about your builds. We've had to remove the mdb option, however, because later versions of SmartAssembly are built as AnyCPU to allow it to run as 64-bit (which fixes memory issues some users were seeing) and mdb isn't supported for 64-bit processes.

Apologies for any inconvenience this change causes!

Note though: SmartAssembly will need to store information in the database if you use any of error reporting, feature usage reporting, or the lower levels of obfuscation (using ASCII or unprintable characters and/or a one-to-one naming scheme). Though it's not recommended, if you're not using those options, then you can ignore the warning on startup and your builds will still succeed.

Alternatively, I can send over some quick steps for installing localdb if you'd like- just let me know!

RickH

So, we have several developer licenses and a server licence so I would assume we can use a central sql server database. Can this be done without having to pay for a sql server license also. Getting software licenses here is a real pain.

Russell D

It can - you can use any flavour of SQL including SQL Express, Developer or localdb which don't require a paid for licence.

RickH

Can you send steps for creating the localdb? Also send info on setting up a SQL Express db. We may want to set up a central db.  Does SmartAssembly automatically create the requires database schema.

Russell D

You can install localdb as per the documentation here: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/database-engine/configure-windows/sql-server-2016-express-localdb?view=sql-server-2017. Or grab SQL Express from here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sql-server/sql-server-editions-express. 

Then just connect to it and SmartAssembly will create the schema, yes.