Microsoft SQL Server Compact 3.5 applications that run on a device can use remote data access (RDA) for:

  • Downloading data. An application can pull data from a database in SQL Server to a database in SQL Server Compact 3.5. For example, an application might download a company employee directory, product price list, or product catalog to the device.

  • Capturing and uploading data. An application can capture data that originates from user-entered forms, a global positioning system, a barcode reader, or something similar. The application can store the captured data in a SQL Server Compact 3.5 database on the device. Periodically, the application can push the captured data from the SQL Server Compact 3.5 database to a SQL Server database.

  • Downloading, updating, and uploading data. An application can pull data from a SQL Server database to a SQL Server Compact 3.5 database. The application can then update the SQL Server Compact 3.5 database. Periodically, the application can push the changed data from the SQL Server Compact 3.5 database to a SQL Server database.

  • Submitting SQL statements. An application can submit SQL statements to be executed on a remote SQL Server database. This is especially useful when the device is always connected to the network.

An application can use these techniques in combination. For example, a sales support application might download a price list to a device, and capture and upload new orders on the device. The application can also submit SQL statements directly to the SQL Server database.