Question

This question is related to Winform application deployment and configuration.

I am new to .net development and I am working on my first Winforms application. Whenever I deploy the application I need to set the value of the server to which the user will be connecting.

For this I have to go into program files and change the application configuration file manually using Notepad.

Not only have I heard that this is not a good practice, it is also a tedious exercise. Imagine going to half a dozen users and doing the same thing on each machine.

I am very confused as to what to do. The application config file that is in the same folder as the exe is the file thorugh which I can change the connection string (as I am given to understand).

Can anyone help me to solve the following questions.

1. How do I update the application configuration file after I install it without having to open it up in Notepad? My main concern is updating the connection string.

2. I have heard that using the registry is a possibility in this case. I am scared of using the registry! Is this an option?

Please excuse my ignorance if the questions are naive. I am new to .net and looking for answers

Thanks
Romi

Answer 1

Hi Romi here is a code snippet that can help you in read/right application configurations

for write in the

     System.Configuration.Configuration config =
     ConfigurationManager.OpenExeConfiguration
                (ConfigurationUserLevel.None);

    // Add an Application Setting.

    config.AppSettings.Settings.Add("ModificationDate",
                   DateTime.Now.ToLongTimeString() + " ");

    // Save the changes in App.config file.

    config.Save(ConfigurationSaveMode.Modified);

    // Force a reload of a changed section.

    ConfigurationManager.RefreshSection("appSettings");

to read

    foreach(string key in ConfigurationManager.AppSettings)
    {
       string value = ConfigurationManager.AppSettings[key];
       Console.WriteLine("Key: {0}, Value: {1}", key, value);
    }

my advice: if your are saving several settings that are not connection strings use the above code. just create a simple form, create a dictionary fill it and show it using a grid control.

if you only need to read/write connection strings use the following code

to read

  string cnx =      ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["ConnectionString"].ConnectionString;

to write

     ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["ConnectionString"].ConnectionString=" your conenction string here";

config.Save(ConfigurationSaveMode.Modified);

    // Force a reload of a changed section.

    ConfigurationManager.RefreshSection("ConnectionString");

you can still use the registry to save those settings but I belive the code above will solve your problems.