Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 Bible

Chapter 33. Sync Framework

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Sync Framework example

• Sync Framework overview

• Sync Services for ADO.NET 2.0

The Microsoft Sync Framework is a robust, comprehensive yet user-friendly synchronization platform providing synchronization capabilities between two distinct data sources. It also enables developers to create and include sync capabilities in their applications.

The overall goal of the Sync Framework is to enable synchronization between two peers such as two SQL Server databases or a Microsoft SQL Server Compact database client and another data source. It was created when Microsoft perceived the need among developers to synchronize data sources without having to require a DBA to create SQL Server publishers, publications, and subscriptions using replication.

One of the components of the Sync Framework is Sync Services, which provides a powerful yet flexible API that enables developers to create applications that provide offline and collaboration capabilities, which can enhance their applications, as well as services or mobile devices.

Because Sync Services is part of the Microsoft Sync Framework, any database that uses Sync Services can also participate in the exchange of information with other data sources supported by the Sync Framework, including file systems and Web Services or even custom data stores. While it is not integrated into SQL Server Management Studio, the Sync Framework and Sync Services is part of the SQL Server 2008 installation and can be used with ...