SQL Server CE Versions

There are several versions of SQL Server CE, these versions sometimes drive us crazy when deploying mobile applications because the database works on only some devices. This is a brief description and compatibility of SQL Server CE.

Basically there are 5 major versions

Offical Name	Alias
SQL Server 2000 Windows CE Edition	SQL CE 1.1
SQL Server 2000 Windows CE Edition	SQL CE 2.0
SQL Server 2005 Mobile Edition	SQL CE 3.0
SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition*	SQL CE 3.1
SQL Server Compact 3.5	SQL CE 3.5

* Known also as SQL Server 2005 Everywhere Edition.

All these versions have 3 different and incompatible file formats.
Versions 1.0, 1.1 and 2.0 have the same format.
Versions 3.0 and 3.1 have the same format.
Version 3.5 has another format.

See the table below:

Version	Product Official Name(s)	Product Codename	Nickname
Client 2.0	SQL Server 2000 for Windows CE SQL Server Compact 2.0		SQL CE 2.0
Client 3.0	SQL Server 2005 Mobile Edition SQL Server Compact 3.0		SQL CE 3.0
Client 3.1	SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition SQL Server Compact 3.1		SQL CE 3.1
Client 3.5	SQL Server Compact 3.5		SQL CE 3.5
Server 8.0	SQL Server 2000	Shiloh	SQL Server 8.0
Server 9.0	SQL Server 2005	Yukon	SQL Server 9.0
Server 10.0	SQL Server 2008	Katmai	SQL Server 10.0

Summary:

1) SQL Server Compact 3.5 can synchronize with only SQL Server 2005 not with SQL Server 2000.

2) SQL Server Compact 3.5 Server Tools package enables synchronization between SQL Server Compact client versions 3.0, 3.1, and 3.5 and SQL Server 2005 through SQL Server Compact3.5 IIS components.
3) SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP1 can synchronize with both SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2008.
4) SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP1 Server Tools package enables synchronization between SQL Server Compact client versions 3.0, 3.1, 3.5 and SQL Server 2008 through SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP1 IIS components.

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