"Illegal characters in path" error when connecting to SQL Server

Question

I'm trying to connect to database and I get the following error:

Illegal characters in path.

Here is my code:

private void button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    SqlConnection Con = new SqlConnection("Data Source=.\\SQLEXPRESS;AttachDbFilename=|DataDirectory|\targil3.mdf;Integrated Security=True;Connect Timeout=30;User Instance=True");
    SqlDataAdapter adapt = new SqlDataAdapter();
    adapt.InsertCommand = new SqlCommand(" INSERT INTO tblEmployee VALUES (@employeeNumber, @employeePrivateName, @employeeFamilyName ,@city, @street, @houseNo, @phoneNumber, @birthDate, @startWorkingDate)", Con);
    adapt.InsertCommand.Parameters.Add("@employeeNumber", SqlDbType.Char).Value = textBox1.Text;
    adapt.InsertCommand.Parameters.Add("@employeePrivateName", SqlDbType.VarChar).Value = textBox2.Text;
    adapt.InsertCommand.Parameters.Add("@employeeFamilyName", SqlDbType.VarChar).Value = textBox3.Text;
    adapt.InsertCommand.Parameters.Add("@city", SqlDbType.VarChar).Value = textBox4.Text;
    adapt.InsertCommand.Parameters.Add("@street", SqlDbType.VarChar).Value = textBox5.Text;
    adapt.InsertCommand.Parameters.Add("@houseNo", SqlDbType.Int).Value = textBox6.Text;
    adapt.InsertCommand.Parameters.Add("@phoneNumber", SqlDbType.Char).Value = textBox7.Text;
    adapt.InsertCommand.Parameters.Add("@birthDate", SqlDbType.DateTime).Value = Convert.ToDateTime(textBox8.Text);
    adapt.InsertCommand.Parameters.Add("@startWorkingDate", SqlDbType.DateTime).Value = Convert.ToDateTime(textBox8.Text);


    Con.Open();
    adapt.InsertCommand.ExecuteNonQuery();
    Con.Close();
}

How to do I connect to the database so the I can insert into it?

Stop using AttachDbFileName. Attach the database to your Express instance, then connect using the logical database name instead of specifying a path. — Aaron Bertrand
– Aaron Bertrand, Commented Jul 29, 2013 at 15:26
Hey, try Google, it's a fine searching engine! I found http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms190209(v=sql.105).aspx — OzrenTkalcecKrznaric
– OzrenTkalcecKrznaric, Commented Jul 29, 2013 at 15:29
Ozren Tkalčec Krznarić, I don't need to attach to sql server, I need to attach it to c# — user2023203
– user2023203, Commented Jul 29, 2013 at 15:31

Darren · Accepted Answer · 2013-07-29 15:27:00Z

8

You'll need to escape \targil3.mdf

Use \\ or put an @ before the assignment of the string, for instance.

SqlConnection Con = new SqlConnection(@"Data Source=.\SQLEXPRESS;AttachDbFilename=|DataDirectory|\targil3.mdf;Integrated Security=True;Connect Timeout=30;User Instance=True");

answered Jul 29, 2013 at 15:27

Darren

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2 Comments

Darren Over a year ago

@user2023203 - this sounds like a new question, you'll have to make a new question stating what errors you get when attempting to update/insert into the database.

Aaron Bertrand Over a year ago

@user2023203 how are you verifying this? Going back to my very first comment, one of the problems with using this AttachDbFileName setting is that if you have two copies of your app, or your app and Visual Studio or Management Studio all use that same connection string, they're actually each creating their own copy of the database. So when you run an update in one app, the other app won't see those changes. So, again, STOP USING THIS "FEATURE." Attach your database properly.

Ehsan · Accepted Answer · 2013-07-29 15:39:35Z

0

This is because you have got characters in your connection string which need to be escaped. To overcome this issue you have got couple of options.

Either to explicitly escape those characters by using

\\

OR

use the @ sign before assignment.

PS: Though i would recommend you to specify your connection string in app.config and read it like this

string conString = System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["yourConnectionString"].ToString();

and you should consider the user of

using (SqlConnection sqlConn = new SqlConnection(conString ))
{
   try
   {
        //your sql statements here
    }
   catch (InvalidOperationException)
    {

    }
    catch (SqlException)
    {

    }
    catch (ArgumentException)
    {

    }
 }

You won't face any errors specified above.

edited Jul 29, 2013 at 15:39

answered Jul 29, 2013 at 15:33

Ehsan

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1 Comment

user2366842 Over a year ago

I agree with defining it in app.config, that way should it for some reason change, you only have to change it one place in code, as opposed to every place that it's called.

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