Sharing connection string between two separate windows forms application?

Question

I am making a line of Windows Forms applications. I am building the functionality of an options menu using the application settings tools to keep persistent data and settings. In addition, all applications will allow the user to connect to a database and query data. I am trying to find out a way to put a databse section in the options to allow the user to test and set database options. When set I want the same settings to show up or sync with another application at runtime or when the next time another app is opened.

So far I have been thinking about using the windows registry, or making a project with application settings and adding it to all applications. I also read about using a machine config file. I am not too sure on what is the best or how this would all work when the applications are deployed.

The sharing of settings and/or values is not limited to just a connection string, but any data that may be useful to keep concurrent with all applications.

user3411327 · Accepted Answer · 2014-03-27 15:45:24Z

1

You can open config files from any place with the ConfigurationManager. With this you can define a central configuration in a directory known to all your applications. See MSDN.

answered Mar 27, 2014 at 15:45

user3411327

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1 Comment

Wesley Long Over a year ago

I was going to suggest this approach, as well. I would add that you should consider IsolatedStorage for the location of your "global" config file. Ref: msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/vstudio/…

daniele3004 · Accepted Answer · 2014-03-27 17:17:46Z

0

In this case I use SqlServer express, the best free DataBase. In the App.config add this code

    <connectionStrings>
        <add name="MyConnection" connectionString="User ID=sa;Password=XXXXX;Initial Catalog=DATA_BASE_NAME;Data Source=XXXX\SQLEXPRESS"/>
</connectionStrings>

In a Static Class of your application add this method

public static SqlConnection getConnection()
        {
            string conn = string.Empty;
            conn = System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["MyConnection"].ConnectionString;
            SqlConnection aConnection = new SqlConnection(conn);
            return aConnection;
        }

When you have need of db connection you call method in this way

SqlConnection aConnection = getConnection();

answered Mar 27, 2014 at 17:17

daniele3004

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4 Comments

Corey Berigan Over a year ago

Ok. Let's say I change this connection string at runtime. In addition, other applications are going to use this connection string to connect to the same database. Now, how can I manage to let other applications see or get this newly changed connection string?

daniele3004 Over a year ago

At runtime you can use this strategy for change connectionstring:

SqlConnection aConnection = new SqlConnection("name=MyDataBase connectionString=User ID=sa;Password=XXXXX;Initial Catalog=DATA_BASE_NAME;Data Source=XXXXX\\SQLEXPRESS");

Corey Berigan Over a year ago

I understand that as well. I know I can build and assign the connection string at runtime. My dilemma is when I need to save and allow that connection string to be seen by another application to be used to connect to a database.

daniele3004 Over a year ago

In this case I think can you save file in registry or in another file of your system and read this COnnectionString when have you need

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