Changing connection string without recompile

Question

I'm working on a WinForm application. I've implemented data-access logic into a "library project" that I set as reference in my WinForm project. I'm using LINQ to SQL to connect to my project database, mapping the tables I use into a dbml file. Now I have to publish my project and change the connection string to point to the production DB.

Is it possible to change the connection string without re-compile the project? It'll be very useful at debug-time and for maintenance...

I've tried to change it in app.config and also in the Settings file, but it seems to still point to the development DB.

Where am I doing wrong?

Can you create a minimal test case? An application as small as possible that still has the problem? — Mr Lister
– Mr Lister, Commented Feb 21, 2012 at 9:02
@KirillPolishchuk I've created a dll project for accessing data. when i create my dbml file putting the tables i use inside it, the connection string is saved in a settings file and also in the app.config file of my "data-access-project". I'd like to specify the connection string in the project that uses as reference this dll... is it possible? — davioooh
– davioooh, Commented Feb 21, 2012 at 9:09

davioooh · Accepted Answer · 2012-09-24 07:54:52Z

3

The solution suggested in this article is very good: http://goneale.com/2009/03/26/untie-linq-to-sql-connection-string-from-application-settings/

But I decided to solve my issue in a different way.

Without modifying anyting in the dbml file I added in my DAO class a constructor that takes a parameter:

public MyDataAccessClass(string connectionString)
{
     _connString = connectionString;
}

then instead of using DataClasses() constructor to instantiate the LINQ-TO-SQL class, I replaced it with DataClasses(_connString).

Now I can use the data access library where I need. The connection string will be set in app.config of the referencig application (or anywhere else).

edited Sep 24, 2012 at 7:54

answered Feb 21, 2012 at 11:45

davioooh

24.8k47 gold badges172 silver badges262 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

1 Comment

Protector one Over a year ago

The page you linked is no longer available. Could you put a summary of what it said in your answer please?

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Changing connection string without recompile

1 Answer 1

1 Comment

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

1 Comment

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related