title: SQL database deployment for VB.NET app
body: <p>I have read many articles here, but haven't quite found the solution. I have a SQL Server Express database that is used by my VB.NET application. I have packaged and deployed the application via an MSI file and everything works great except I cannot figure out how to include my database file with the package. I understand there are three general ways to do this (copy the files over manually, custom actions, and SQL scripts). I didn't need anything fancy here, just a quick way to put the DB on the client machine so my app can access it. </p>
  
  <p>I decided copying over the DB manually was the quickest option. I tried putting it in the working directory and in the <code>\DATA</code> directory of the client's SQL Server Express install, but my app wouldn't connect. I also tried changing my connection in the project to <code>.\SQLEXPRESS</code> instead of <code>[my_computer_name]\SQLEXPRESS</code> followed by a rebuild of the deployment project and reinstall on the client machine, but no soup for me. Same issue. I tried changing the "UserInstance" property in the project to "True" but my project would not let me save that action.</p>
  
  <p>Am I correct that a manual copy is the quickest and easiest way to get this done?</p>