How to view the ConnectionString value of Flat File Connection while debugging?

Question

There seem to be 2 ways to set up the connection string in FlatFile connection properties:

1. Using ConnectionString property
2. Using ConnectionString expression

Which one will be used? Is there any way to see this value during the debug, or to print it out (is adding a new task, 'print in a file', a reasonable workaround)?

Answer 1

As with everything in SSIS, an expression is used to overwrite the value of a property.

Answer 2

ConnectionString property will be used to evaluate the path of the flat file on the Flat File Connection Manager. As @Dominic Goulet stated, Expressions allows you to override any property during runtime.

The value of the ConnectionString will be displayed on the Progress / Execution Results tab on the Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS) when you execute the package. Progress is the tab name during run-time, which is then changed to Execution Results once you stop debugging in BIDS.

If you enable package logging and capture OnInformation event messages, you will see the same information in the log data.

ConnectionString value of flat file connection emitted during Information event.