Custom persistent-storage?

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Custom persistent-storage?

Hello!

I need to make a desktop application that stores data, I want this data to protected, and besides, the user shouldn't have to install any data-servers (i.e. SQL-Server, office etc.).

I thought XML would be the best idea, the question is how can I protect the data whilst enjoying the other cool features of it which is XML literals and XLinq (VB.NET is the love of my life).

UPDATE:

It's important for me the users shouldn't know I am using an external tool.

Any ideas on this or other approaches would be appreciated.

+2 A:

Have you considered SQLite? It can be bundled with your app as a DLL and a data file - nothing else needed.

EDIT: It's been a while, but I believe that there's also an embedded version of Firebird. Never used it though.

FrustratedWithFormsDesigner 2009-12-25 04:18:20

Does EF supports it?

Shimmy 2009-12-25 04:40:18

I like the SQLite idea, will check it out; is it compatible with Entity-Framework?I reupdated my question regarding the XML.

Shimmy 2009-12-25 05:02:36

I don't know if SQLite is compatible with Entity-Framework (I have not used that package/product). There's a .NET plugin that I use for SQLite: http://sqlite.phxsoftware.com/Check their site for details."users shouldn't know I am using an external tool" - As I said, SQLite will be a DLL and data file bundled with your app. I don't think users would know unless they know what to look for (and where).

FrustratedWithFormsDesigner 2009-12-25 17:16:47

dll is fair enough.

Shimmy 2009-12-26 19:09:29

DLL id fair enought, and according to the link you provided, SQLite is compatible with EF as well!

Shimmy 2009-12-26 19:11:16

+1 A:

SQLite, SQL Server Compact Edition, or SQL Server Express if you need a little more oomph.

they're all redistributable - your end-users don't have to install anything.

as for encryption, your app can decrypt database values after retrieving them. or if using an xml file, the file can be loaded into a buffer, decrypted and parsed into an xml doc.

jspcal 2009-12-25 04:18:50

How big is the distributable binary for SQL Server Compact Edition? I know the Express Edition is not trivial - you would have to build an install script to install and configure it (if the user will not do it).

FrustratedWithFormsDesigner 2009-12-25 04:20:10

I edited my question, please take a look.

Shimmy 2009-12-25 04:35:21

CE is under a couple MB's, originally designed for embedded apps like pocketpc. EE can be installed silently w/ msi

jspcal 2009-12-25 04:40:17

+1 for the advice regarding xml encryption.

Shimmy 2009-12-26 19:11:59

Check Solid File System, which provides a great hierarchical storage (actually a virtual file system) for your data.

Eugene Mayevski 'EldoS Corp 2010-04-06 21:23:23

ansaurus

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