Today, let’s do a post about connection strings in .NET in case you need a reference. I’ll add a quick overview of what a connection string is, and how it works, and provide some examples for you to copy and use in your projects.

What is a .NET Connection String?

A .NET Connection String is a string that contains all the necessary information for a .NET application to connect and interact with a database. It specifies details such as the database type, server location, authentication method, and other settings required for establishing a connection.

How .NET Connection String Works

The .NET Connection String is used when creating an instance of the SqlConnection or DbConnection class in your .NET application. The connection string is passed as a parameter to the constructor, and the connection is established using the Open() method. Once the connection is open, your application can execute queries and interact with the database.

Connection String Format

A connection string is generally composed of key-value pairs separated by semicolons (;). Each key represents a specific property, and its corresponding value provides the required information. Here’s a generic example:

"Key1=Value1;Key2=Value2;Key3=Value3;"

Connection String Samples

Below are some examples of connection strings for popular databases. Remember to replace the placeholders with your actual values.

SQL Server

"Server=myServerName\myInstanceName;Database=myDatabase;User Id=myUsername;Password=myPassword;"

MySQL

"Server=myServerAddress;Database=myDatabase;Uid=myUsername;Pwd=myPassword;"

PostgreSQL

"Host=myServerAddress;Database=myDatabase;Username=myUsername;Password=myPassword;"

Oracle

"User Id=myUsername;Password=myPassword;Data Source=(DESCRIPTION=(ADDRESS_LIST=(ADDRESS=(PROTOCOL=TCP)(HOST=myServerAddress)(PORT=myPort)))(CONNECT_DATA=(SERVER=DEDICATED)(SERVICE_NAME=myOracleSID)));"

Wrapping Up

That’s it! We’ve covered the basics of .NET Connection Strings, and their format, and provided some examples for you to use in your projects. Remember to keep your connection strings secure, as they contain sensitive information that can compromise your database if exposed. Happy coding!