full SQL Server with full VS ?

[LeonR]

Quick question...

If I buy VB professional, can I connect to SQL express/SQL server using normal TCP/IP connections with the entity model?

At the moment it's awkward as it copys the DB to the VB directory, which means its not updating the live SQL database I assume? (at least if I change the SQL express DB values using SQL, they are now shown within VB express).

Thanks,
Leon

 

[jmcilhinney]

It doesn't matter whether you use VB Express or VS. If you add a database file directly to your project then the database is part of the project. If you don't want that then don't do it. Connect to your SQL Server (full or Express) instance using Management Studio (full or Express) and create a database that is always attached.

That said, you already are updating the "live" database. You just aren't clear what the "live" database is. Follow the first link in my signature to learn how local data files are managed.