How to backup a SQL Server 2014 Express Localdb (.mdf) file programmatically

Question

I have simple Windows application which uses SQL Server 2014 LocalDB (.mdf file).

And I want that whenever users click exit button, my application autom

Answer 1

I finally solved after many trial and analysis. For someone who is looking for solutions, I share mine as below.

It seems there's fewer people are developing with MS SQL Localdb than other databases.

The name of database doesn't have to include extension like .mdf and the equal sign= has to be together as DISK=

string backupdb = string.Format(@"BACKUP DATABASE greendb_{0} TO DISK='c:\Green_Backup\greendb_{0}.bak'", personID);

Answer 2

it may help someone.

Backup

try
{
    var dlg = new System.Windows.Forms.FolderBrowserDialog();
    var result = dlg.ShowDialog(this.GetIWin32Window());

    if (result.ToString() == "OK")
    {
        var dbfileName = Path.Combine(Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.ApplicationData), "LibraryManger.mdf");
        var backupConn = new SqlConnection { ConnectionString = eb.GetConnectionString() };
        backupConn.Open();

        var backupcomm = backupConn.CreateCommand();
        var backupdb = $@"BACKUP DATABASE ""{dbfileName}"" TO DISK='{Path.Combine(dlg.SelectedPath,"LibraryManagement.bak")}'";
        var backupcreatecomm = new SqlCommand(backupdb, backupConn);
        backupcreatecomm.ExecuteNonQuery();
        backupConn.Close();

        MessageBox.Show($"Database backup has successfully stored in {Path.Combine(dlg.SelectedPath, "LibraryManagement.bak")}", "Confirmation");
    }
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
    if(ex.Message.Contains("Operating system error"))
    {
        MessageBox.Show("Please chose a public folder.", "Error", MessageBoxButton.OK, MessageBoxImage.Error);
    }
    else
        MessageBox.Show(ex.Message, "Error", MessageBoxButton.OK, MessageBoxImage.Error);
}

Restore

You'll have to close existing connection before you restore

try
{
    if (eb != null)
    {
        eb.DisposeConnection();
        eb = null;
    }

    var dlg = new OpenFileDialog();
    dlg.InitialDirectory = "C:\\";
    dlg.Filter = "Database file (*.bak)|*.bak";
    dlg.RestoreDirectory = true;

    if (Equals(dlg.ShowDialog(), true))
    {
        using (var con = new SqlConnection())
        {
            con.ConnectionString = @"Data Source=(LocalDB)\MSSQLLocalDB;Database=Master;Integrated Security=True;Connect Timeout=30;";
            con.Open();
            var dbfileName = Path.Combine(Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.ApplicationData), "LibraryManger.mdf");
                using (var cmd = new SqlCommand())
                {
                    cmd.Connection = con;
                    cmd.CommandText = $@"RESTORE DATABASE ""{dbfileName}"" FROM DISK='{dlg.FileName}'";

                    cmd.ExecuteNonQuery();
                }
                con.Close();
            }

        MessageBox.Show($"Database backup has successfully restored.", "Confirmation");
        eb = new EntityBroker.EntityBroker();
    }
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
    MessageBox.Show(ex.Message, "Error", MessageBoxButton.OK, MessageBoxImage.Error);
}