Hi, I am a VB.NET beginner and am trying to connect to a backend db ( SQL serverf 2000 ) I have currently hard coded this in my program, but have come to realise that that was not a good idea, instead it would have been better to variablise it somehow and let the admins that will install the application populate the backend server during setup. my setup is an msi setup that I let VS2005 create for me - I have tried using .config files but failed as for some reason I could not see anything in the .config file from within my code or reference it. I see applications every day where during the msi setup ( possibly as a public property ) you can add the db server details which is read from within the code, can someone please assist me or point me to how to do this? Many Thanks in advance. Edit/Delete Message

in app.config file   copy below code  and set ur database settings

<connectionStrings>

<add name="Dbase" connectionString="Data Source= servr name;initial catalog=database; User id=test; Password=test"/>

</connectionStrings>

 how do I reference the app.config from within my code?

Hi ,

if you want to set connectionstring during ur setup,then first of when u make setup  asking about ur connection,save it to registery.When ur application will run.it will read a connection from registery.

for read and write data to registery use SaveSetting and GetSetting Property.

in ur application when it will read data from registery and save to ur connection string use following.

My.Settings.ConnectionStringName=Strconnection

Mr Argoran, See this code. This will connect to database without any parameters. What all you require is Database name. See, When you are going to work with Database, better create your own database.Create Database. When creating database in your hands, pre define with a name and append to Connection string. Well. Any doubts on this are welcome.

Imports System.Data.SqlClient

Imports System.Data

Public Class Form1

Dim cn As New SqlConnection("Integrated Security=TRUE;Persist Security Info=FALSE;")

Dim cmd As New SqlCommand

Dim da As New SqlDataAdapter

Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load

cn.Open()

If cn.State = ConnectionState.Open Then

Button1.Text = "Connected"

Else

Button1.Text = "NOT Connected"

End If

End Sub

End Class

 Thank you I don't know why I didn't think of that even though it's quite obvious and easy to setup -- Many Thanks !!!!!