Creating an SQL Server connection string without importing a datasource in C#

Question

I am going off of this tutorial: http://www.dotnetperls.com/sqlclient . Instead of adding a data source and a having visual studio compile my connecting string - I want to do it myself. The reason being is that the database will not always be the same and I want this application to be able to use different databases depending on which I point it to.

So how can I manually create the connection string? I am using SQL Server 2005.

pass the connectionstring to the constructor of SqlConnection... — Steve B
– Steve B, Commented Sep 22, 2011 at 14:18
Can you give an example of this. I apologize but I am somewhat new to C#. — pss1337
– pss1337, Commented Sep 22, 2011 at 14:19
The problem is also I am unaware of the format for the connection string. — pss1337
– pss1337, Commented Sep 22, 2011 at 14:19

Justin Niessner · Accepted Answer · 2011-09-22 14:25:41Z

2

Step 1: Go to connectionstrings.com and find the proper format for your database.

Step 2: Plug in the appropriate values to the connection string.

Step 3: Pass that string to the constructor of SqlConnection.

I would also suggest storing your connection string in your app.config/web.config file. You can then modify them easily if needed. The proper format can be found at MSDN - connectionStrings element. You then change your code to:

 SqlConnection sqlConn = new SqlConnection(
     ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["ConnStringName"].ConnectionString);

edited Sep 22, 2011 at 14:25

answered Sep 22, 2011 at 14:19

Justin Niessner

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3 Comments

pss1337 Over a year ago

How do I select the table I want to read/write from if it is a remote database?

Justin Niessner Over a year ago

@pss1337 - That would be part of your SQL query.

pss1337 Over a year ago

Gotcha, I forgot it is just like regular SQL statements after I connect to the database. Does this look like it would work, or do I need to pass the connection string differently (test values for pwd,and uname, etc). pastebin.com/4Mqq0YZN

Miserable Variable · Accepted Answer · 2011-09-22 14:20:20Z

0

I don't see where the connection string is "compiled".

In the code

SqlConnection con = new SqlConnection(
    ConsoleApplication1.Properties.Settings.Default.masterConnectionString)

ConsoleApplication1.Properties.Settings.Default.masterConnectionString is a field and it can be replaced with any other appropriate string.

answered Sep 22, 2011 at 14:20

Miserable Variable

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Ashu · Accepted Answer · 2011-09-22 14:27:56Z

0

for SQL Server format of the connection string is

"Data Source = server_address; Initial Catalog = database_name; User ID = UserId; Password = **;"

save this connection string in a string variable and use with connection object.

either way you can add in web.config file.

<ConnectionString>
<add name = "name_of_connecctionString" ConnectionString = "Data Source = server_address;       Initial Catalog = database_name; User ID = UserId; Password = ****;" ProviderName = "system.Data.SqlClient"/>
</ConnectionString>

you can change the provider as needed by you.

then in code behind file access this particular connection string using configuration manager.

answered Sep 22, 2011 at 14:27

Ashu

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