Reference connection strings in config from a separate project

Question

I have a parent application which has a config file that contains connection strings.

I would like all child applications I develop to be able to reference this config file so I only have to update connection strings in one place.

Parent Application web.config

<connectionStrings configSource="ConnectionStrings.config"/>

Parent Application ConnectionStrings.Config

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<connectionStrings>

    <add name="MyConnectionString" connectionString="Data Source=***;Initial Catalog=***;Integrated Security=False; Password=***;User ID=***" providerName="System.Data.SqlClient" />

</connectionStrings>

This works fine for bringing in data in the parent application.

I've added the ConnectionStrings.config file to my child application as a linked file and then reference it in the web.config as follows:

Child Application web.config

<connectionStrings configSource="ConnectionStrings.config"/>

But when I run the child application I get the following error:

Unable to open configSource file 'ConnectionStrings.config'. (C:\Child Application\web.config line 8)

Any ideas?

Thanks

Have you tried setting the build type to `content` and `copy to output directory` on the parent project's config file, and then referenced the file as `bin/ConnectionStrings.config`? — Gigabyte, Jul 22 '16 at 16:40

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Jul 22 '16 at 16:54

0

Under the child project, open the file properties of the linked ConnectionStrings.config file and set Copy To Output Directory to Copy always. You have to do this in order for this file to be copied to the child project bin directory regardless of the setting for the parent project ConnectionString.config file.

answered Jul 22 '16 at 16:54

Larry

511
4
10

The file isn't showing up in the bin/{BuildName} folder? – Larry Jul 22 '16 at 18:07
I did what you suggested and then ran in debug mode, but receive same error. – Simon Jul 22 '16 at 18:11
When you build, is the config file showing up in the build folder for the mode you're building? – Larry Jul 22 '16 at 18:52

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 22 '16 at 17:11

0

You could also use project post build steps and copy configuration file into output directory.

answered Jul 22 '16 at 17:11

maciejgos

103
1
10

Reference connection strings in config from a separate project

2 Answers2