What does InstallShield 2008 use for working with databases?

Question

I am using Installshield 2008 Developer Edition and need to run SQL scripts against an existing SQL Server 2005 Express. When I do this without InstallShield, I would have to have some ODBC drivers installed for example.

How does InstallShield do this? Does it include some sort of driver? Or does it depend on preexisting drivers?

Answer 1

If you are having the database installed by Installshield as part of your installation, Installshield has all the information to simply use a connection string like this:

"Driver={SQL Native Client};Server=localhost;Database=newdatabase;Uid=proguser;Pwd=progpass;"

There is no need to create an ODBC connection to use a connection string like this, and Installshield makes the SQL Native Client a prerequisite for SQL 2005 connected databases, so it is assured of having the correct driver available.

Answer 2

InstallShield has built-in support for SQL connections/scripts without the need for rolling custom code. The built-in custom actions use unmanaged ADO, specifically a property exposes the network library to be used:

IS_SQLSERVER_NETLIB_MS -> Network Library=DBMSSOCN

For more information refer to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/238949