Database Reference
In-Depth Information
Restart Visual Studio, and the template shows up in the list of templates when you add a new item to
your Visual Studio project, as shown in Figure 11-19.
Figure 11-19.
SQL Azure Data Sync template
Selecting the SQLAzureDataSyncClient template starts a wizard similar to the one shown in Figure
11-18, which walks you through creating an offline data cache in SQL Compact. When the wizard is
completed, a SQL Compact database is created, and code is generated that allows for offline
synchronization to sync changes on demand. The code generated is a set of classes that provides the
synchronization capability.
Data Sync Best Practices
One of the things we see when training and consulting is that many companies use the SQL Azure Data
Sync Service as a solution for database backup and restore functionality. This may seem like a viable
solution, but it isn't the right solution, especially in light of the topics discussed in Chapter 6 regarding
new backup capabilities. The Data Sync Service wasn't meant as a backup solution—it's meant to share
data with one or more databases in or outside of a data center. It's designed to synchronize data
between multiple data sources (the hub and one or more members).
With the SQL Azure Data Sync and the Sync Framework Power Pack still in CTP as of this writing,
best practices are still being defined. However, when you approach your design of synchronization, ask
yourself the following questions:
•
When will you use the .NET Sync Framework or SQL Server Integration Services
(SSIS) over the SQL Azure Data Sync?
•
What design options do you need to consider, such as scheduling a sync, or the
type of data to sync?
