VB.net ConnectionStrings object reference

Question

when connecting i get an error: object reference not set to instance of an object

Form1

Dim c As String = System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings("CON").ConnectionString
Dim con As New MySqlConnection(c)

App.config

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<configuration>
    <connectionStrings>
      <add name="CON" providerName="MySql.Data.MySqlClient" connectionString="Server=localhost;Database=DATABASE_;Uid=user;Pwd=pass" />
    </connectionStrings>
</configuration>

I have no idea how to fix this issue...

This works

Dim con As New MySqlConnection("Server=localhost;Database=DATABASE_;Uid=user;Pwd=pass")

Ultimately i am trying to protect my connection string.

Debug output: A first chance exception of type 'System.NullReferenceException' occurred in Loader.exe This is saying that System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings("CON").ConnectionString is returning null

possible duplicate of [What is a NullReferenceException and how do I fix it?](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/4660142/what-is-a-nullreferenceexception-and-how-do-i-fix-it) — Ňɏssa Pøngjǣrdenlarp, Feb 22 '15 at 01:14

Esselans · Accepted Answer · 2015-02-22T01:47:32.280

1

You've differents names in app.config and code.

Imports System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager
Dim cs As String = ConnectionStrings("CON").ConnectionString

EDIT

The problem was a bad app.config setup file. Please read the comments.

edited Feb 22 '15 at 01:47

answered Feb 22 '15 at 01:05

Esselans

1,540
2
24
44

It seems that ConnectionStrings("CON").ConnectionString is returning null – user3466723 Feb 22 '15 at 01:10
2

@user3466723 Are you loading the correct app.config? Check if it is debug or release. Check other app.config setting – Esselans Feb 22 '15 at 01:12
enlighten me, i might not be. I am calling the connectionString directly. – user3466723 Feb 22 '15 at 01:28
@user3466723 Run directly the .exe (not from VS). In the same folder the .exe.config file should be. Open that file and check if the string connection is there. – Esselans Feb 22 '15 at 01:31
its not – user3466723 Feb 22 '15 at 01:33
how do i load my config? – user3466723 Feb 22 '15 at 01:34
Thank you this got me on the right track :) i was trying to follow a C++ guide for VB.net :) i fixed it now thanks to you :) – user3466723 Feb 22 '15 at 01:45

VB.net ConnectionStrings object reference

1 Answers1

Linked