SQLEXPRESS requirement?

[Barrie Wilson]

I'm using VS 2005 Professional with MS Visual Web Developer installed; my
question is whether I HAVE TO have SQL Express installed on the same
machine. I keep hitting problems where the root cause seems to be that an
instance of SQL Express cannot be found.

I notice that in the machine.config file there is a default connection
string pointing to SQL Express .... but I don't know why it's there; I
certiainly did not put it there. I have two SQL 2005 Standard instances
running on their own machines and was intending to use one or both of those
for all data storage.

When I do something simple, for example, add a WebPartManager and a
WebPartZone, things start going bad right away .. I can only guess that one
of those components is referencing my non-existent SQL Express instance ...
??

I'd sure appreciate any help I can get on this issue ...

TIA

BW

 

[Cowboy \(Gregory A. Beamer\)]

You do not have to have SQL Express on your development box. Overall, it is
easier to use it (or a full blown developer SQL Server) on the box, as many
of the controls, etc., do default to local. After you get them set up, it is
a matter of changing the configuration to use with another server.

I am not sure about the web parts, as I have not done much portal work
later.

 

[Cowboy \(Gregory A. Beamer\)]

In most cases, you can "pre-configure" by adding the connection bits to the
config before adding the controls (etc.). This works well with membership,
as an example.