C# - Working with config files and connection strings

[mlm]

I'm trying to change up how the application I'm working on currently gets its database settings. Right now, all the settings are saved in a plain text file. So I'm trying to get it to work with a config file, but the following code, which I copied and pasted directly from the Visual Studio documenation, refuses to compile.

--

using System;
using System.Configuration;

class Program
{
static void Main()
{
ConnectionStringSettings settings;
settings = ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["DatabaseConnection"];
if (settings != null)
{
Console.WriteLine(settings.ConnectionString);
}
}
}

--

It can't find ConnectionStringSettings which is supposed to be in System.Configuration. Anybody know what's going on?

What's the best way to store sensitve modifiable settings anyway? The documentation gives a walkthrough for encrypting ASP.NET config files, would I be able to do the same thing with application config files?

 

[Snapster]

That is .net 2.0 code (ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings). You will need to include a reference to System.Configuration.dll

 

[mlm]

How would I do that? I've never worked with dll files before.

 

[Snapster]

Originally posted by: mlm
How would I do that? I've never worked with dll files before.

Where you see your code files, forms etc on your right in the solution explorer window, you will see a folder called references. Right click on it and select add reference. Under the .net tab you can select the system.configuration dll

 

[Jaxidian]

You don't always have the References folder. If you don't, just right-click on your project name and you'll have an "Add Reference" option. Once you do that, just go into the first tab in the popup and find System.Configuration.

-Jax