title: Validating SQL Server installation presence using Java
body: <p>I am trying to write a program in Java which has to check if SQL Server (2008) is installed on a particular machine. Is checking the registry entry the only solution? I prefer a file-based solution.</p>
  
  <p>Currently, I am checking for the presence of <code>OSQL.exe</code> (which I use to execute queries and SQL scripts) in the <code>&lt;Installation Path&gt;\100\Tools\Binn</code> folder. What does the <code>100</code> specify? Can it be hardcoded in the program, or will I have to search for the <code>OSQL.exe</code> file starting from the installation path?</p>