CODEWITHSUNDEEP
asp.netsql-server
Ws.
Ws.

Reputation: 61

How to use a single SQL DB Connection string?

I am developing an ASP .NET application on my PC and deploying it on a host.

The application uses a Microsoft SQL DB, I have two databases one local and one on a server.

How should the application be configured so it could connect to both DBs without any code changes? (the 2 databases have identical names and structure)

Thanks

Upvotes: 0

Views: 640

Answers (4)

JBrooks
JBrooks

Reputation: 10013

The problem with using the web.config is that you have to change it when you deploy.

I have a post arguing for machine.config here.

For places where you can't edit the machine.config I show a way to have it in a config file that is not under your web site's directory here.

Upvotes: 1

No Refunds No Returns
No Refunds No Returns

Reputation: 8356

If you need to store all of them in one config file, you can also do some indirection like this:

string name = ConfigurationManager.AppSettings["DB"]
string connStr = ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings[name].ConnectionString;

<configuration>
 <appSettings>
  <add key="DB" name="Prod" />
 </appSettings>    
 <connectionStrings>        
   <add name="Prod" connectionString="..." />    
   <add name="Test" connectionString="..." />    
   <add name="Dev" connectionString="..." />    
 </connectionStrings>
</configuration>

It comes down to who can edit config in produciton and how you're allowed to deploy software. Sometimes this is a viable solution with the actual option to use being specified somewhere else altogether.

Upvotes: 1

ram
ram

Reputation: 11626

and a nice website which specifies the connection string for most DBs

Upvotes: 0

David Brown
David Brown

Reputation: 36269

Store the connection string in web.config:

<configuration>
    <connectionStrings>
        <add name="Name" connectionString="..." />
    </connectionStrings>
</configuration>

Then in your code:

string connStr = ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["Name"].ConnectionString;

Upvotes: 3

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