Deploying SQL Server packaged application

I developed an application using C# and SQL Server 2005. I want to
know how to package such an application so that users can download it
from my site, install it and start using it. Previously I have done
this with my VB/MS Access applications. There was no further
requirements as only blank MDB file need to be included. But I don't
know how to package an app. with SQL Server. How to configure the
setup so that on installing SQL Server along with the blank data files
are automatically installed on user's computer.It depends on variuos factors.
1. SQL Server 2005.
If your app uses SQL Server 2005 Sd or up, you probably do not distribute
SQL Server2005 itself. However, if you use SQL Server Express, you may wan
to include both SQL Server Express and the database. If you do want to
include SQL Server Express, your app being server app (such as web app) or
desktop app may make different. For desktop app, do you want to install SQL
Server Express on all user computers (so the data is not shared), or you
only need one SQL Server on the LAN and all users of youe desktop app share
the data (thus, only install one instance of SQL Server somewhere on the
LAN). You can search the net on the topic on packaging SQL Server Express
into installation package. It may not as complicated as imaging, but I never
did it and personally, I'd rather seperate the installation of SQL Server
Express from my application.
2. Database itsellf.
You can use script to create all SQL Server objects (database, views, SPs,
user logins...) during installation;
But simply including clean database file (*.mdf/*.ldf) into the package and
attach it to a ready SQL Server durinig installation would be easier.
However, after attaching database file, you may still need to run some
scripts to perform some user specific tasks, such as set/change SQL Server
login, database user...
"RP" <rpk.general@.gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1192532194.579961.226780@.e34g2000pro.googlegroups.com...
>I developed an application using C# and SQL Server 2005. I want to
> know how to package such an application so that users can download it
> from my site, install it and start using it. Previously I have done
> this with my VB/MS Access applications. There was no further
> requirements as only blank MDB file need to be included. But I don't
> know how to package an app. with SQL Server. How to configure the
> setup so that on installing SQL Server along with the blank data files
> are automatically installed on user's computer.
>