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sql server connection string in config file

I have a windows app and I need to use a config file so that I can have the connection strings in that, in my app some are hard coded and some are using the connection manager in 1 instance.

Ive noticed that visual studio has already created the config file for me. I dont know when or how but its there

I need to remove all instance of the hardcoded strings that I have. As the config file is here already how do I make it load these from the config at startup?

and what do I place in my code as the substitute to the string?

I need to do this as I need to deploy the app now to a colleague. I am working offsite but he will still use the windows log on detail.

I have this in a file called app.config which is in the project folder in the folder the same name as the project.

my project setting look like:

my project is a little erratic as ive been learning and using different ways so i have this as one way to dictionary:

Dim connectionString As String = ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings("Dictionary").ConnectionString

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and other ways has the string in its entirety

strangely another way here

Using cnSql As New SqlClient.SqlConnection("Data Source=MAIN-PC\SQLEXPRESS;Initial Catalog=Dictionary;Integrated Security=True;MultipleActiveResultSets=True")

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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<configuration>
    <configSections>
    </configSections>
    <startup>
        <supportedRuntime version="v4.0" sku=".NETFramework,Version=v4.5.2" />
    </startup>
  <connectionStrings>
    <add name="Dictionary" connectionString="Data Source=MAIN-PC\SQLEXPRESS;Initial Catalog=Dictionary;Integrated Security=True;MultipleActiveResultSets=True"
      providerName="System.Data.SqlClient" />
    <add name="WindowsApplication1.My.MySettings.DictionaryConnectionString"
      connectionString="Data Source=MAIN-PC;Initial Catalog=Dictionary;Integrated Security=True"
      providerName="System.Data.SqlClient" />
    <add name="WindowsApplication1.My.MySettings.ABI_MASTEROleConnectionString"
      connectionString="Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;Data Source=&quot;N:\Data\Abi\ABI MASTER.mdb&quot;"
      providerName="System.Data.OleDb" />
    <add name="WindowsApplication1.My.MySettings.SMMT_MasterOleConnectionString"
      connectionString="Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;Data Source=&quot;|DataDirectory|\SMMT Master.mdb&quot;"
      providerName="System.Data.OleDb" />
    <add name="WindowsApplication1.My.MySettings.Glass_MasterOleConnectionString"
      connectionString="Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;Data Source=&quot;N:\Data\Glass\ABI MASTER.mdb&quot;" />
    <add name="WindowsApplication1.My.MySettings.Tvi_MasterOleConnectionString"
      connectionString="Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;Data Source=&quot;N:\Data\Thatcham\TVI Master 4.mdb&quot;" />
    <add name="WindowsApplication1.My.MySettings.Cap_MasterOleConnectionString"
      connectionString="Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;Data Source=&quot;N:\Data\Cap\CAP MASTER.mdb&quot;" />
    <add name="WindowsApplication1.My.MySettings.ClientDataConnectionString"
      connectionString="Data Source=MAIN-PC;Initial Catalog=ClientData;Integrated Security=True" />
  </connectionStrings>
</configuration>

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Ryan Chong

since you have:

Dim connectionString As String = ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings("Dictionary").ConnectionString

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then try use this in your connection object:

       Using cnSql As New SqlClient.SqlConnection(connectionString)
             '....
        End Using

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PeterBaileyUk

ASKER

Youve misunderstood. Ive altered the code now so that I refer and connect iusing as you say:

Dim connectionString As String = ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings("Dictionary").ConnectionString

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all that works and my windows app is finished.

so on startup does the windows app automatically refer to the app.config file?

and if it does I assume that if at my clients end they can change the config file sql server and locations and my program will work and make the connections from the app.config file?

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Ryan Chong

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PeterBaileyUk

ASKER

cool so it wasnt as bad as I thought, thx