How to create a local database in Visual Studio 2015 Community?

Question

I'm new to C# and SQL and I'm trying to add a .sdf file into my project in Visual Studio 2015, but I'm not finding it in the add file tab. I only find service-based database, but I want a local database, how do I do it? Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

.sdf files are SQL Server CE (Compact Edition) files.

SQL Server CE is no longer being supported and developed by Microsoft, and doesn't have any tooling inside Visual Studio.

You can however download and install SQL Server CE Toolbox which is a stand-alone tool, and also integrated into Visual Studio, for handling all things SQL Server CE.