Current way to setup ASP.NET site with demo data?

Question

I need to set up ASP.NET and connect it to some demo (northwind) data.

Considering all the versions of SQL, what is the most current /efficient way to get a database into a project and do a select against it?

This question arose once we discovered we could download a MDB and a MDF format of northwind...

Answer 1

asp.net is loaded with tons of how to's for started. One section specifically goes into the different ways of interacting with a database. I choose the old fashion DAL which they outline at http://www.asp.net/data-access/tutorials/creating-a-data-access-layer-cs.

There are now plenty of new ways using LINQ and other methods, but u can look at all the options yourself.

Answer 2

If you have an existing SQL Server installation, use that, otherwise install SQL Express and drop the mdf file into your App_Data folder.

You can then use what ever data access method you prefer. eg ADO.Net, Linq to sql, Entity Framework etc.