How do you open an SDF file (SQL Server Compact Edition)?

Question

I am having an SDF file and I need to retrieve its schema and query it with some UI.

How can I do this? I don't have Visual Studio installed on the machine and I need to install as little software as possible.

Answer 1

You can download and install the LINQPad, it will be working for the SQL Server, MySQL, SDF(SQL CE 4.0) and also SQLite.

Steps for opening the SDF Files:

1. Click on Add Connection
2. Choose the Build data context automatically and Default (LINQ to SQL), then click Next.
3. Under the Provider choose SQL CE 4.0.
4. And below the Database with Attach database file selected, then select the "Browse to select your .sdf file".
5. Click on OK.

 Join the SQL Training course now if you want to gain more knowledge in SQL.

Answer 2

An SDF file is the SQL Server Compact Edition database file, and you can open it using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) with SQL Server Compact Toolbox. SQL Server Compact Toolbox lets SSMS recognize and connect to an SDF file, thereby providing a very simple way of accessing and managing data in the file. Download SQL Server Compact Toolbox; open SSMS and connect to it. Open the toolbox in the toolbox and begin to browse its content.

It also supports Visual Studio SDF files. In the Server Explorer, you just Add Connection, then add it as a data source where you will browse through and find your SDF file. You are able to execute queries against and edit in the SDF, kind of very useful if your application has a long developing and testing phase.