For the Inductive Bible program (previously called eBible) I am working we are currently using MSDE (assuming no SQL Server available). Unfortunately, MSDE doesn't come with any management or query tools. However, there are some free solutions out there that fulfill the purpose and are worth checking out.
MSDE Manager
Includes both a .NET and an unmanaged version. This is free for personal use. The big plus of this tool over the others is that it includes database administration not just query capabilities so it is more than simply a replacement for query manager, offering more like the functional equivalent of Enterprise Manager. The company, White Bear Consulting, also provides versions as controls that can be bundled into you applications for a reasonable fee.
MSDE Query
The first tool I tried. It works much like SQL Server's query manager, allowing you to select the database and then execute queries against the database. It has an MDI interface so each query can be in its own window. Results are reported either as text, the default, or into a grid. Overall I would say this is a fully functional replacement for SQL Server's query manager. The same company also has a program similar to Enterprise Manager at minimal cost that is worth checking out if you need such a tool.
MSDE GUI
Based on the screen shots this looks like another viable option that includes source code so you could perhaps include it into your own application. Certainly worth checking out if you need to bundle something in your application.
There are a couple issues with our choice for MSDE. Firstly, I don't expect users of the software to have the most cutting edge computers or connections. MSDE is a 45 MB download which would certainly be a hitch to telephone modem users especially given that they are also going to have to download the .NET Framework redistributable. Secondly, it is not exactly clear whether we should install even when there is already a SQL Server installation in order to protect the copyrighted material that we include. Given our own MSDE instance we can control the security on the database but this would mean duplicate binary installs as well.
(Updated 5/14/2004 by adding reference to MSDE Manager which is currently my favorite because of the database administration functionality.)
11:33:30 AM
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