Entity Framework v4 Code-Only Connection String

Question

I have recently begun to use the EF v4 Code Only library for some projects I am working on. However, I have run into a bit of a snag. I can't seem to figure out the proper format for the connection string. I have used the following code to build the connection string:

string connectionString = new EntityConnectionStringBuilder
{
    Provider = "System.Data.SqlClient",
    ProviderConnectionString = new SqlConnectionStringBuilder
    {
        DataSource = "localhost",
        InitialCatalog = "ASM_Testing",
        IntegratedSecurity = true,
        Pooling = false
    }.ConnectionString
}.ConnectionString;

However, using it results in the following error:

Specifications_for_EntityContext.When_logging_in_application_with_valid_app_role_and_password.Login_should_be_successful : System.ArgumentException : Some required information is missing from the connection string. The 'metadata' keyword is always required.
Stack Trace:
   at System.Data.EntityClient.EntityConnection.ValidateValueForTheKeyword(DbConnectionOptions effectiveConnectionOptions, String keywordName)
   at System.Data.EntityClient.EntityConnection.ChangeConnectionString(String newConnectionString)
   at System.Data.Objects.ObjectContext..ctor(String connectionString)
   at ASM.Data.EntityContext..ctor(String connectionString) in C:\Users\Jon Rista\TFS\Advanced Service Management\Trunk\Main\Source\ASM.Data\EntityContext.cs:line 16
   at Specifications_for_EntityContext.Behaves_like_EntityContext_connected_to_a_database.TestableEntityContext..ctor(String connectionString) in C:\Users\Jon Rista\TFS\Advanced Service Management\Trunk\Main\Source\Tests.ASM.Data\EntityContextFacts.cs:line 165
   at Specifications_for_EntityContext.Behaves_like_EntityContext_connected_to_a_database.InitializeContext() in C:\Users\Jon Rista\TFS\Advanced Service Management\Trunk\Main\Source\Tests.ASM.Data\EntityContextFacts.cs`e`enter code here`nter code here`:line 160
   at ASM.Testing.xUnit.ObservationCommand.Execute(Object testClass) in C:\Users\Jon Rista\TFS\Advanced Service Management\Trunk\Main\Source\ASM.Testing.xUnit\ObservationCommand.cs:line 24
   at Xunit.Sdk.FixtureCommand.Execute(Object testClass)
   at Xunit.Sdk.BeforeAfterCommand.Execute(Object testClass)
   at Xunit.Sdk.LifetimeCommand.Execute(Object testClass)
   at Xunit.Sdk.TimedCommand.Execute(Object testClass)
   at Xunit.Sdk.ExceptionAndOutputCaptureCommand.Execute(Object testClass)

Seeing as I don't have any metadata...since I am using Code Only, I'm in a bit of a bind. Any insight is greatly appreciated.

The connection string generated by the builder classes is as follows:

provider=System.Data.SqlClient;provider connection string="Data Source=localhost;Initial Catalog=ASM_Testing;Integrated Security=True;Pooling=False"

Working Example (based on accepted answers)

It is necessary to use the ContextBuilder to create any instance of a context that uses a code-only mode. Here is a working example of this for those who are searching for an answer to the same problem:

protected override void InitializeContext()
{
    string connectionString = new SqlConnectionStringBuilder
    {
        DataSource = "localhost",
        InitialCatalog = "Testing",
        IntegratedSecurity = true,
        Pooling = false
    }.ConnectionString;

    var connection = new SqlConnection(connectionString);
    var builder = new ContextBuilder<TestableEntityContext>();
    m_context = builder.Create(connection);
}

Can you post the resulting string? Or does it already blow up when executing this code? — Henk Holterman
– Henk Holterman, Commented Jul 10, 2010 at 8:20

Gregoire · Accepted Answer · 2010-07-10 20:38:13Z

4

To use it:

var builder = new ContextBuilder<YourContext>();

using (YourContext context = builder.Create(new SqlConnection(ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["yourConenctionKeyInWebConfig"].ConnectionString)))
{
     ...
}

answered Jul 10, 2010 at 20:38

Gregoire

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1 Comment

jrista Over a year ago

Thanks. I knew about ContextBuilder, but it did not cross my mind to use it in my unit tests for my EntityContext class. I think this will solve the problem though. Thanks!

Yury Tarabanko · Accepted Answer · 2010-07-10 20:33:08Z

3

As far as I understand using code only approach you can't instantiate context by simply passing DB connection string to its ctor. Normally you would use ContextBuilder to create your context.

Define ctor taking EntityConnection in EntityContext class

public EntityContext(EntityConnection connection): base(connection) { }
Create connection

var factory = DbProviderFactories.GetFactory("System.Data.SqlClient"); var connection = factory.CreateConnection(); connection.ConnectionString = providerConnectionString;
Use ContextBuilder to create new context

var contextBuilder = new ContextBuilder(); contextBuilder.Configurations.Add(...) var context = contextBuilder.Create(connection);

answered Jul 10, 2010 at 20:33

Yury Tarabanko

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1 Comment

jrista Over a year ago

+1 Great answer. I read Gregoire's first, and marked it as accepted. Both of them answered my question, though. Thanks!

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