Windows Phone Mango Local Database(SQL CE): Connection Strings

published on: 9/7/2011 | Views: N/A | Tags: LocalDB Mango

by WindowsPhoneGeek

This is the 9th post from the "Windows Phone Mango Local Database" series of short posts that will cover all you need to know in order  to get started using a Local Database in Windows Phone 7.1 Mango.  This time I am going to talk about "Connection Strings" when working with a Local Database in Windows Phone 7.1 Mango.

Here is what else is included in this series:

• Windows Phone Mango Local Database(SQL CE): Introduction
• Windows Phone Mango Local Database(SQL CE): Linq to SQL
• Windows Phone Mango Local Database(SQL CE): [Table] attribute
• Windows Phone Mango Local Database(SQL CE): [Column] attribute
• Windows Phone Mango Local Database(SQL CE): [Association] attribute
• Windows Phone Mango Local Database(SQL CE): [Index] attribute
• Windows Phone Mango Local Database(SQL CE): Database mapping
• Windows Phone Mango Local Database(SQL CE): DataContext
• Windows Phone Mango Local Database(SQL CE): Connection Strings
• Windows Phone Mango Local Database(SQL CE): Creating the Database
• Windows Phone Mango Local Database(SQL CE): Database Queries with LINQ
• Windows Phone Mango Local Database(SQL CE): How to Insert data
• Windows Phone Mango Local Database(SQL CE): How to Update data
• Windows Phone Mango Local Database(SQL CE): How to Delete data

What is Connection String?

Before we can actually use a database at all, we need to specify a connection string, which basically tells the application how to connect to the database. A connection string can be used to specify database configuration values. In a connection string, individual parameters are separated by semicolons and parameter values are placed within single quotes. Some parameters are applicable only to creating the database; after the database has been created, those parameters are ignored.

A special format of the connection string must be used like for example: 
"Data Source='isostore:/DIRECTORY/FILE.sdf'";

For reference you can also take a look at the full MSDN documentation.

How to use a connection string?

Example1. Single parameter usage

String format: "Data Source='isostore:/DIRECTORY/FILE.sdf'";

NOTE: isostore indicates that the path points to isolated storage.

private const string ConnectionString = @"isostore:/CountryDB.sdf";
 
public MainPage()
{
    InitializeComponent();
 
    using (CountryDataContext context = new CountryDataContext(ConnectionString))
    {
 
        if (!context.DatabaseExists())
        {
            // create database if it does not exist
            context.CreateDatabase();
        }
    }
}

Example2. Reading from the Installation Folder

String format: "Data Source='appdata:/DIRECTORY/FILE.sdf'";

NOTE: appdata indicates that the path points to the installation folder.

private const string ConnectionString = @"Data Source = 'appdata:/CountryDB.sdf'; File Mode = read only;";
public MainPage()
{
    InitializeComponent();
 
    using (CountryDataContext context = new CountryDataContext(ConnectionString))
    {
 
        if (!context.DatabaseExists())
        {
            // create database if it does not exist
            context.CreateDatabase();
        }
    }
}

Example3. Database with Specific Culture

private const string ConnectionString = @"Data Source = CountryDB.sdf'; Culture Identifier = fr-FR; Case Sensitive = true;";

 

NOTE: For reference about the supported Cultures take a look at the MSDN documentation.

Example4. Encrypted Database

String format: "Data Source='isostore:/DIRCTORY/FILE.sdf';Password='SomePassword'"

private const string ConnectionString = @"Data Source='isostore:/CountryDB.sdf';Password='MyPassword';";

In this article I talked about what is a connection string and how to use it when working with a Windows Phone Mango Local Database. Stay tuned for the rest of the posts.

You may also find interesting the following articles:

• Windows Phone Mango Local Database(SQL CE): Introduction
• Using SqlMetal to generate Windows Phone Mango Local Database classes
• A Simple ToDo List: Persisting Data with the Sterling NoSQL Database
• All about WP7 Isolated Storage series

You can also follow us on Twitter @winphonegeek

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