Question

How do you use the connection string on a local database in a way that would allow you to transfer the project folder from one computer to another, without having to modify the connection string?

Not like this

connection_String As String = "Data Source=C:\Users\Kyle\Desktop\CSCI_388_Group_Project\CSCI_388_Group_Project\CSCI_388_Group_Project\CSCI_388_Group_Project_Database.sdf"

More like this

connection_String As String = "Data Source=|DataDirectory|\CSCI_388_Group_Project_Database.sdf"

If I try to enter the second example into the connection field under the database properties I get an illegal character error.

Answer 1

The Environment class contains most of the paths you’ll need.

You can call Environment.GetFolderPath to get a special directory. For example, to get the My Documents directory, call Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.Personal).

You can browse all of the special folders here:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.environment.specialfolder.aspx

In your example specifically, you’d use the following:

connection_String As String = _
    "Data Source=" & 
    Path.Combine(
        Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.Desktop),
        "CSCI_388_Group_Project_Database.sdf" )

Alternative:
Is it possible to just ask the user? If it’s on their desktop, they might move it.