Alvin,

>David,
>
>I would like to create a c# mobile application that connects to a sql 2000 database, read date from a table and load the data into a grid.
>
>Is this possible without installing SQl Server CE on the my machine?
>

Yes, as long as you are always connected. Just use System.Data.Sqlclient (not System.Data.SqlServerCe) to talk to the sql 2000 machine. See http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnppc2k2/html/dataaccessstrategy.asp

>I read somewhere that SQL Server CE Tools are required when using SQL Server CE Connectivity.
>
>Im trying to understand what I would need, to get the info from a datatable to a grid on a Pocket PC.

Option 1: connect with SqlClient
Option 2: Build a web service and connect through that (probably the easiest, most flexible way as described in the article)
Option 3: Only if you need to work disconnected, install SQL server ce and use web services or merge replication to update SQL 2000. Pocket TaskVision is an excellent example of this (http://www.windowsforms.net/Default.aspx?tabindex=7&tabid=44).

>
>Thanks for your help,
>
>Alvin