How to set the connection string from app.config please

Question

I have done till this and i don't know how to call the connection string into my console application from app.config

<add name="VirgoPlaza" 
     connectionString="Data Source=JEAN-DANIEL\SQLEXPRESS;Initial Catalog=VirgoPlaza;Integrated Security=True"
     providerName="System.Data.SqlClient" />

Can someone help please?

Answer 1

First add reference to System.Configuration. In Solution explorer, right click on References, Add References.

Add reference to System.Configuration Manager.

Then access the connection string like:

var connectionStrings = System.Configuration
                            .ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings;
var yourConnectionString = connectionStrings["VirgoPlaza"];

Assuming you have stored connection string in App.Config like:

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<configuration>
  <connectionStrings>
    <clear />
    <add name="VirgoPlaza" connectionString="Data Source=JEAN-DANIEL\SQLEXPRESS;Initial Catalog=VirgoPlaza;Integrated Security=True"
            providerName="System.Data.SqlClient" />
  </connectionStrings>
</configuration>

VB.Net equivalent would be:

Dim Cons As String = System.Configuration
                        .ConfigurationManager
                        .ConnectionStrings("VirgoPlaz").ConnectionString

You may see: Connection Strings and Configuration Files

Answer 2

I suppose that you have your connection string defined inside this block of you app.config

<connectionStrings>
    <add name="VirgoPlaza" 
         connectionString="Data Source=JEAN-DANIEL\SQLEXPRESS;Initial Catalog=VirgoPlaza;Integrated Security=True"
         providerName="System.Data.SqlClient"/> 
</connectionStrings>

If this is the case then you retrieve the string from the app.config using

Dim cnString = ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings("VirgoPlaza").ConnectionString

Answer 3

A quick cheat is use your server explorer to connect, and then copy the connection string from there. Alternatively just use the new entity framework and you can do it via a wizard as well.

EDIT: Ok, it seems you have the connection string now - however does this mean that you cant connect, could never connect or does it mean you are just stuck making it work in general?