Full Text Search for Stand Alone Windows App

I am working on a stand-alone windows application in which I need to provide full text search capability. I was using SQL Express edition and was planning to deploy the database (.mdf) with the application.

Is it possible to enable Full Text search for a database which does not belong to a database server (embedded with the app)? If yes the how can you do it?

If its not possible then what are the alternatives/options of data-storage for a windows app which will allow me to enable Full Text search?

Thanks for your help.

To enable full text search your sever must be installed with this capability.

To enable this capability in the sql server 2005 express edition, you have to download the sql server 2005 express edition advanced. This will install the database server, the sql managment studio and the full text serch.

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Thanks for your reply. However I already have the "advanced services" installed but my full text button is still disabled in VS Server Explorer.

If I add the database on a named instance for instance MyBox\SQLExpress then i get an option of enabling the Full Text Search but I dont see any option for a stand-alone database file.

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Hi,

I would like to introduce some good video learning resources to you which demonstrates how to set up Full-Text within SQL Server Express.These resources demonstrate how to set up Full-Text search paying particular attention to the nuances of setting it up within SQL Server Express.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/sql/learning/default.aspx#13

Hope that helps. Thanks.

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Thanks a lot for your reply. I found out that full text is not available for "user instances" that is why I am not able to get it to work.

I think I may just have to go with SQL Lite. Does any one know any other database solution which might be better then this? Thanks.