I have installed SQL Server 2012 Enterprise Edition.
I can use SQL Server Data Tools to add databases and tables and query tables etc.
Next, I used Visual Studio to try out a tutorial on creating a website with a database. The database type created was an SQL Server Compact Local Database.
This database doesn't turn up in the list of databases in SQL Server Data Tools. How do I view compact local databases? (I want to be able to view the data in the DB, add rows using a GUI, and run SQL queries within the tool.)
Or are they different products, in which case does Microsoft have an equivalent tool to SQL Server Data Tools for SQL Server Compact databases?
Best Answer
After OP's Edit to the question :
Try to use Visual Studio 2010 SP1 + VS Tools for SQL CE 4
-- or --
SQL Server Management Studio 2008 R2 supports for SQL Server Compact 3.5 database. (ATTENTION from SSMS version 2012 and newer, Sql Server Compact databases are no longer supported by SSMS; You must use SSMS 2008 R2 or OLDER)
Note : SQL Server Management Studio cannot open SQL Server Compact 4 files, only SQL Server Compact 3.5 files.
Click View >>Toolbars >>SQL Server Compact Edition Editor as shown.
Additionally, refer to SQL Compact 3rd party tools and
SQL Server Compact Toolbox on Codeplex - It is a Visual Studio add-in and standalone app , for managing all aspects of your SQL Server Compact database files.