Entity Framework connection string: SQLCe file location

Question

I've specified the following entry in my app.config

<add name="DefaultStoreConnection" providerName="System.Data.SqlServerCe.4.0" connectionString="Data Source=DefaultStore.sdf" />

Whenever I start my program and access the database, the database gets created at the following location

MyAppDir/DefaultStore.sdf

However, when I work with the Package Manager Console in order to create migrations, it creates the database there:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 11.0\Common7\IDE\DefaultStore.sdf

The file name is right, so I guess Entity Framework just takes a relative path from the calling application, in case of the Package Manager Console: Visual Studio. Can I specificy my application directory inside app.config?

"app.config" is in a console project, database context in an external library — Acrotygma
– Acrotygma, Commented Feb 25, 2014 at 10:25
Have you tried Data source=|DataDirectory|DefaulstStore.sdf; ? — Marco
– Marco, Commented Feb 25, 2014 at 10:27

Manish Mishra · Accepted Answer · 2014-02-25 10:31:10Z

2

try this:

set your connection like this:

<add name="DefaultStoreConnection" providerName="System.Data.SqlServerCe.4.0" 
     connectionString="Data Source=|DataDirectory|\DefaultStore.sdf" />

now you can define the meaning of |DataDirectory| like this inside your main function (of program.cs) make sure it executes before any kind of database interaction :

string fileName = Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.ApplicationData);
AppDomain.CurrentDomain.SetData("DataDirectory", fileName);

here in the Environment.SpecialFolder enum, you get to choose the executing directory as well, you can provide your custom directory aswell.

answered Feb 25, 2014 at 10:31

Manish Mishra

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