Easiest way to deploy simple ASP.Net to web

Question

User-775831949 posted

I have a very simple ASP.Net developed that now runs on my PC on VS.

It is a web form with Ms Access database.

I want to move it to Azure/cloud. The challenge I have now is Access database does not work on Azure's Web App.

If I copy the database to ASP app's App_Data folder it wont work and throw OLEDB12 not registered issue.

So what is my option ?

Any advice ? I have paid Office 365 Business. Can I store the Ms Access database on onedrive and share the link and use it in web.config ?

I dont want to use SQL Server as the db is very simple and it costs a bit and I dont know how to manage it.

Thanks 

Answer 1

User61956409 posted

Hi hkbeer,

Azure Web Apps run in a sandbox (a secure environment), which does not enable us to do custom installation on server, if it does not support in hosting web application with MS Access database well, you can try to choose Azure Virtual Machine.

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/services/virtual-machines/

Besides, if you have further questions about hosting web application with MS Access database on Azure, you can post question(s) on Azure support forums.

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/support/community/

With Regards,

Fei Han

Answer 2

User379720387 posted

SQL Compact is still out there. 

Simple file that lives in a folder in your app.

Answer 3

User-821857111 posted

SQL Compact is still out there. 

Kind of. It's actually been deprecated. Support for it stops in 2021. SQLite is the currently recommended file-based data store.

Answer 4

User379720387 posted

Much easier to hookup SQL Compact than SQLite, right?

Answer 5

User-821857111 posted

SQLite is just as easy to work with.

Answer 6

User-775831949 posted

Thanks so much wavemaster. So is there a graphical UI with SQL Compact like Ms Access ?

I am exploring this option now.

Answer 7

User-775831949 posted
I just looked at several links and they say SQL Mgt Studio can manage it. However my SQL mgt studio is 2017 veraion there is no option to connect to compact version anymore..help

Answer 8

User-821857111 posted

So is there a graphical UI with SQL Compact like Ms Access ?

You can use the SQL CE Toolbox extension for Visual Studio. https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=ErikEJ.SQLServerCompactSQLiteToolbox. You can also use that to manage SQLite databases. I use DB Browser for SQLite myself: https://sqlitebrowser.org/

Answer 9

User379720387 posted

Yes, but it is limited to db operations.  It assumes you have your data in one or more tables.

It is much easier to work with SQL Compact or SQLite during the development phase as it is easy to make changes. You are basically working with a spreadsheet representation of your data.

There is no UI suitable for an end-user. You would have to create that yourself in your web app.

Answer 10

User379720387 posted

Ok, some more points for you to consider.

SQL Express is the free version of SQL.

Setting it up is as easy as SQL Compact, and using it is as easy as SQL Compact.

If you are going that way you might as well go the SQL Express route since then you can use SQL Server Management Studio.

SQL Compact does not support some of the more advanced functionality you will find in SQL Express.

SQL Compact is a single file you can copy to and from Azure

SQL Express in the Azure environment means you will need a VM, or you are using Azure SQL, which is expensive to use.

You can also find another hosting company that let's you use SQL Express as part of your monthly hosting fee. I am using www.smarterasp.net. 

Was using Azure before but they are not cost competitive.

It all depends on what you need for your application and what appetite you have for complexity.