Microsoft SQL Server Compact 3.5 Service Pack 2 (SP2) supports Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 and later versions of Visual Studio as a development environment. You can create managed applications by using either Microsoft Visual Basic or Visual C#, or you can use Visual C++ for Devices to create native applications.
Microsoft Visual Studio
Visual Studio provides a development platform for creating applications. By using the appropriate version of Visual Studio you can develop applications for devices and desktop computers that communicate with SQL Server Compact 3.5 databases.
Visual Studio 2010 is preferred for developing desktop applications. This is because Visual Studio 2010 supports new development features, such as support for the Transact-SQL editor on SQL Server Compact databases. You can use Visual Studio 2008 or Visual Studio 2008 Service Pack 1 (SP1) to develop desktop applications for SQL Server Compact 3.5, but the new development features provided in Visual Studio 2010 will not be available to you.
Visual Studio 2008 Service Pack 1 (SP1) is preferred for developing device applications. This is because Visual Studio 2010 does not provide support for developing smart device applications.
When you install these versions of Visual Studio, the development environment is automatically configured for use with SQL Server Compact 3.5. In Visual Studio 2008 SP1, you can test your device applications by using the desktop-based Windows Mobile .NET Emulator.
You cannot use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption when you run your applications through the emulator. |
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Native Applications By Using Visual C++
By using the Visual C++ option in Visual Studio, you can apply your knowledge of Visual C++ to develop native applications. Visual Studio 2008 and Visual Studio 2008 SP1 include support for Visual C++ development on platforms built by using Windows Mobile.
Reference
Deploying Applications (SQL Server Compact)