Database for Windows store app ?

Question

Hi all,

SQLite is a good solution for local db, but it's kind of headache if you want to synchronize data. So I just wonder is there any way to synchronize it between different machines in Windows 8. I've heard of Windows Azure but I'm totally new to it. Is there any code walk-through on Windows 8 RTM ?

Please tell me your idea. I'm always appreciated ! 

Regards.

Answer 1

Well the ApplicationData.RoamingFolder is synced between all your devices. But not sure if sqllite works on the RoamingFolder. so far i know there are no other database solutions

Answer 2

RoamingFolder limits the size of data. My app won't able to sync content which is bigger than 100kb right ? 

Answer 3

To synchronize large amounts of data you will probably be better off hosting it in the cloud rather than trying to replicate a large local file. Azure is designed for this sort of thing. You can find out more about it at http://www.windowsazure.com/en-us/ . Once you've read the overviews take a look at Get started with Mobile Services which walks through creating a Windows 8 app and connecting it to an Azure hosted SQL Database.

--Rob

Answer 4

Sorry but I'm not in supported country list. I cant register Azure. Why Microsoft has to limit this.

Answer 5

If Azure isn't available in your country then you may be able to find a different cloud service that you can use.

There isn't a good way to sync large amounts of data between machines without some sort of cloud service.

While it won't help you, Emi, for others who can use it the Windows 8 app developer blog just posted Add cloud to your app with Windows Azure Mobile Services

--Rob

Answer 6

Just wanted a clarification, when we use Windows Azure Mobile Services the Developer is now responsible for all of our Windows App Store clients data. If the user is in an area without internet connection, the Windows App would not work since it cannot connect to Windows Azure? Or does Azure handle this?

Thank you.

Answer 7

Yes the functionality depending on Windows Azure Mobile services will not work. For example if you are using azure sql db then any functionality dependent on this would not work.  So developer needs to check the availability of azure service which app is looking for. However any other functionality independent of azure services can still work. 

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Thanks, Sachin

Answer 8

Windows Azure Mobile Services is purely cloud-based. You will need to provide your own syncing method to use it offline. I'm using SQLite locally, timestamping everything, and then syncing newer records both ways when I have a connection. For simple data this is pretty easy.

--Rob

Answer 9

Rob,

Using Azure Mobile Services with a local SQLite DB could be an option for me (my SQLite DB is a bit more complex with Parent and Child relations).

The data that will be stored on the Azure Mobile Services, I am assuming all of the Windows Store Users with my app will be storing their data there in one SQL DB or would they need to get each an account with Azure Mobile Services?

I am trying to figure out if I as the developer will be hosting their data (which I really, really did not want to) since the app will probably sell for $2-$3 dollars.

Thanks.

 

Answer 10

You as the developer would host the data. You would probably want to build the price for data into the price of the app.

--Rob