interesting assumption:
Since this is a Windows client application, using a database with a
data provider is out of the question.
Why in the world would you say that? Access databases and MSDE databases
are both completely free to distribute with your windows client application.
Download WebMatrix from the Microsoft site and you get MSDE.
For a good writeup of MSDE and comparisons with other tools, See
http://www.builderau.com.au/architec...9130338,00.htm
To see how this plays with the next version of MS software, See
http://www.itwriting.com/sqlyukon2.php
Honestly, the idea of writing something new to do all this is difficult for
me to rationalize.
Your notion of packing all your small files into a big one is not better.
Your small files cannot grow without rewriting the large one. Why not use
the file system... that's what it's for!
--
--- Nick Malik [Microsoft]
MCSD, CFPS, Certified Scrummaster
http://blogs.msdn.com/nickmalik
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this forum are my own, and not
representative of my employer.
I do not answer questions on behalf of my employer. I'm just a
programmer helping programmers.
--