CODEWITHSUNDEEP
databasewindowsdeployment
CJ7
CJ7

Reputation: 23275

Where to put database files when deploying file-based database app?

If you are deploying an app which uses a file-based database such as SQLite or Access-MDB, where should the database files be deployed to on a machine, bearing in mind that the app will need full access to this location?

Don't MS guidelines say that the %PROGRAMFILES% folder should only contain read-only application files?

Where should database files be placed? In the %APPDATA% folder?

Upvotes: 1

Views: 301

Answers (1)

LarsTech
LarsTech

Reputation: 81610

You definitely should not be using the Program Files directory anymore to store dynamic information.

This Windows Blog User Account Control Data Redirection gives a nice summary:

Ensure that you do not hard-code paths once you have determined the appropriate locations. Instead, use one of the following programming models and APIs to retrieve the correct paths of specific Windows known folders:

C/C++ native applications: Use the SHGetKnownFolderPath function that retrieves the full path of a known folder identified by the folder's KNOWNFOLDERID, a GUID parameter indicating the known location you would like to obtain:

  • FOLDERID_ProgramData – Shared program data directory for all users
  • FOLDERID_LocalAppData – Per-user program data directory (non-roaming)
  • FOLDERID_RoamingAppData – Per-user program data directory (roaming)

Managed Code: Use the System.Environment.GetFolderPath function. GetFolderPath takes a parameter indicating the Known Location you would like to obtain:

  • Environment.SpecialFolder.CommonApplicationData – Shared program data directory for all users
  • Environment.SpecialFolder.LocalApplicationData – Per-user program data directory (non-roaming)
  • Environment.SpecialFolder.ApplicationData – Per-user program data directory (roaming)

If none of the above-mentioned options are available, use the environment variable:

  • %ALLUSERSPROFILE% – Shared program data directory for all users
  • %LOCALAPPDATA% – Per-user program data directory (non-roaming) - Windows Vista or later
  • %APPDATA% – Per-user program data directory (roaming) - Windows Vista or later

Upvotes: 1

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