SQL2012 LocalDB: how to check in c# if it is currently installed?

Question

How to check in c# code if LocalDB currently installed? also, how to check if SQLNCLI11 presents in system?

Richie

Answer 1

I found this nuget package that wraps up working with SQLLocalDB Has the following command

SqlLocalDbApi.IsLocalDBInstalled()

Affectionate

Answer 2

Check if LocalDB is installed, by looking for this registry key:

[HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server Local DB\Installed Versions\11.0]

SQLNCLI11 - check the file version and presence of this file: C:\WINDOWS\system32\sqlncli.dll

Rotogravure

I have a little confusion. Need to know a little something to clear. In MS Visual Studio 2010, I can create database and work with it. (probably MS SQL Server express, which is by default integrated with VS 2010). Is it what we're refering as LocalDB? – Architectonic

No, not exactly the same, but similar products – Rotogravure

This won't work if the user uninstalls localdb. The key is not removed. – Undry

You might try HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL11E.LOCALDB\Setup – Undry

Answer 3

Here is a VB.NET example checking for LOCALDB

Public Shared Function CheckLocalDBExists() As Boolean
    Dim s As String = ""
    Dim reg As RegistryKey
    Dim rtn As Boolean = False
    reg = Registry.LocalMachine.OpenSubKey("SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server Local DB\Installed Versions\12.0", True)
    Try
        s = reg.GetValue("ParentInstance", "").ToString
        reg.Close()
    Catch ex As Exception
        s = Nothing
    End Try
    'MessageBox.Show(s)
    If s = "MSSQL12E.LOCALDB" Then
        rtn = True
    End If
    Return rtn
End Function

Acaroid

Note: This test is for localdb 2014. For 2012 you need to check for installed version 11.0 and MSSQL11E.LOCALDB. (sorry for any confusion) – Acaroid

Answer 4

I'm using the answer to this question to check for the existence of sqllocaldb.exe

Like so:

public static bool IsLocalDBInstalled()
{
    return ExistsOnPath("SqlLocalDB.exe"); ;
}

public static bool ExistsOnPath(string fileName)
{
    return GetFullPath(fileName) != null;
}

public static string GetFullPath(string fileName)
{
    if (File.Exists(fileName))
        return Path.GetFullPath(fileName);

    var values = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("PATH");
    foreach (var path in values.Split(';'))
    {
        var fullPath = Path.Combine(path, fileName);
        if (File.Exists(fullPath))
            return fullPath;
    }
    return null;
}

Schutt