Question

Is there a way to prompt the user to set a path once after the setup of the application is completed?

I have done a project in C#.NET where my database file is an Excel workbook. Since the location of the connection string is hard coded in my coding, there is no problem for installing it in my system. When it comes to the other systems, the location will not match.. Is there a way to set the path initially after the setup so that all users can use it in different systems?

Answer 1

I suggest that store your ConnectionString in App.config file. Like as below:

<connectionStrings>
    <clear />
     <add name="DefaultUniqueName" connectionString="Connection String"
      providerName="Provider Name" />
     <add name="UserDefine" connectionString="Connection String"
      providerName="Provider Name" />
  </connectionStrings>

On start up project ask user to choose Connection string option: 1) Default or 2) Select New File

If User select new file then update UserDefine connectionstring.

UPDATE CONNECTION STRING (VB.NET)

Dim oAppConfig = Configuration.ConfigurationManager.OpenExeConfiguration(System.Reflection.Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly().Location)

oAppConfig.ConnectionStrings.ConnectionStrings("UserDefine").ConnectionString = "FilePath"
 oAppConfig.Save(Configuration.ConfigurationSaveMode.Minimal)

C#

System.Configuration.Configuration oAppConfig = System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager.OpenExeConfiguration(System.Reflection.Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly().Location);

oAppConfig.ConnectionStrings.ConnectionStrings("UserDefine").ConnectionString = "FilePath";
oAppConfig.Save(System.Configuration.ConfigurationSaveMode.Minimal);