Installing database Files

[kemmererm]

I'd like to have a user be allowed to install the MDF and LDF files for a database to a destination other than the TARGETDIR. I have a create script and a custom dialog that asks for the location of that directory but I can't figure out how to put the directory into the create script.

Can i assign a property into the text replacement tab or is there a function I need to call to make this work?

[hidenori]

What project type are you using?

[kemmererm]

It's an install script project

[hidenori]

Here is a sample SQL script and a text replacement entry that will create a database using a database file installed to a script-defined folder.

CREATE DATABASE TestDB
ON 
( NAME = TestDb_dat,
  FILENAME = %MyDatabaseDir%\testdbdat.mdf',
  SIZE = 10,
  MAXSIZE = 50,
  FILEGROWTH = 5 )
GO

Find What: %MyDatabaseDir%
Replace With:

Hope this helps.

[kemmererm]

hidenori wrote:

Find What: %MyDatabaseDir%
Replace With:

Where do I define NEW_DIRECTORY1 for that to work, and how do I access it form the Installscript?

[hidenori]

A script-defined folder can be created using the Browse for Directory dialog that can be launched from the Destination property grid in the Components view. You can call the FeatureSetTarget() function to assign a target location to the folder that you create.

[kemmererm]

Thanks that solved my problem nicely. What does the first argument of the FeatureSetTarget function mean though? I'm using MEDIA and it works but I'd like to know why.

[hidenori]

With InstallScript, the special value MEDIA used as the first argument to feature functions just refers to the file-based InstallScript .cab files. Using a value other than MEDIA indicates a script-created media set with fake features created with FeatureAddItem and FeatureSetData.

The InstallScript help topics "MEDIA" and "Script-Created Feature Set vs. File Media Library" give a little more information.