SQLIte can be just copied over as well, accessing it *might* need an install -
depends on the way you want to do it. C# has it's own version, should be installfree as well
BUT the big benefit is instant portability to almost every other language / dev system on almost any platform.

compact has only syntax "nearness" to MS-SQL - from my POV a no brainer ;-)

have fun

thomas


>Thanks for all the help, multi user is not an issue so i'm going to go with either sqlite or compact. i like that compact does not need an install when distribution, not sure if sqlite does but going to get to grips with it over the coming days.
>~M
>
>>>Hi all,
>>>
>>>I was going to start writing a few small applications in .Net and was wondering about a good desktop database. I'd rather not use VFP just from an experience point of view. What I'd like to do is write a small application to record the name and personal details of people using a .Net (c#) front with a database behind it that is deployable on any desktop windows xp or vista onwards.
>>>
>>If you want multiuser access across the network, use the MS-SQL free express -
>>you won't run into the size limit of 10GB from the above and for Dotnet it has the best support in VS.
>>The free versions of Oracle and especially DB2 have less restirction AFAIR
>>but you will find more help for MS-SQL directly in Dotnet circles.
>>If you consider to learn a totally OS DB, I'd pick PostGreSQL over MySQL
>>
>>If is deployable on any desktop windows xp or vista onwards.
>>is meant as a database for each single PC, no concurrent C/S access,
>>go for SQLite, probably the most installed ebedded DB,
>>but multiuser access there is less sophisticated than even vfp -
>>it is MEANT as the local datastore on a particular machine (Thunderbird, Firefox...).
>>
>>Also promises portability of the data file even down to mobile devices.
>>
>>my 0.02 EUR
>>
>>thomas