title: Push data from Sql Server to desktop application
body: <p>I have a pretty simple .net 4 desktop application written in c# which needs to display some data inserted to a table on an SQL Server (2005). The data itself is quite simple, just one row of about 10 columns, (mostly counts of other data).</p>
  
  <p>I could just poll the sql server from the application every x interval, but my preference is to have the sql server push the data out to this application if possible, as the timing of the "new data" is often irregular.</p>
  
  <p>In short, I'd like to know if this is possible. Doing some research before posting this question, I found a few possibilities.</p>
  
  <p>1) SignalR: I found <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/11001205/pushing-data-from-sql-server-to-web-application-with-signalr">this</a> question which seemed promising, but this seems to be in the context of a web application rather than a desktop one. Upon review of the signalR wiki, it seemed to me that it requires some kind of web service or other http connection which I'd prefer to avoid.</p>
  
  <p>2) Sql server change tracking, from <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/6297392/what-is-the-best-way-to-push-inserted-data-out-of-sql-server-to-an-application">this</a> question. Firstly, I'm not on sql 2008 so I assume I'd have to install or configure it (which isn't a problem) but I'm also not sure if this will provide what I need.</p>
  
  <p>I will mention as well that this client application could exist on 100+ different pcs which would all need to be notified on the data change.</p>
  
  <p>So, is such a thing possible? I apologize if the question is a little vague - and thanks in advance for your help!</p>