VS.Net - Connecting to a mySQL databse

[Tim356]

In my self tutoring, I would like to learn about C#'s methods of connecting to a mySQL database.

I have mySQL installed and running on my machine, I have used it before with some php scripts, so it's working fine. Can someone please explain the process of connecting to one of my mySQL databases using VS.net? I've had a quick attempt at adding a connection to server explorer, but for some reason I can't connect to the mySQL server.

Any help would be really appreciated.

[Webforumz Staff]

Assuming you've got the 1.1 version and not 1.0, you'd use the ODBC .NET Data Provider.

using System.Data.Odbc;

For details and examples go to http://dev.mysql.com/tech-resources/articles/dotnet/

[Tim356]

thanks Catalyst, I've read that link and found it very helpful, though I am still confused.

I ran winmysqladmin and under where it says server details, it's all blank?? Obviously I haven't set it up properly? But I can still access my databases using (as I said before) php scripts that I had been playing around with earlier. Also, under MyODBC it says, NOT FOUND. Obviously my problem is with the setup I have for mySQL, but I hardly know anything about it.

Do you have any ideas what I might have done wrong?

[Webforumz Staff]

Hmm, not personally. I use SQLServer mostly, though I have run mySQL on my Win machine. Someone else might know more...

[Webforumz Staff]

MySQL is pretty easy to setup... you install it and set the configuration file... and that's is, lol. It just works.
http://dev.mysql.com/doc/mysql/en/Wi...tallation.html

[Tim356]

That's what I thought, but obviously I've done something wrong. I might try uninstalling and reinstalling, and pay more attention to the settings.

But why would I be able to access with everything but Visual Studio? Maybe I'm not setting it up right in VS? I right click on Data Connections, ->Add connection -> use "Dell" as my sql server (that's what localhost is), fill in username and password, then when I select the drop down menu for database, I get an error - SQL server does not exist or access denied. But I'm using the same settings I use for everything else that access my SQL databases???

I'm tearing my hair out....

[Tim356]

OK, reinstalled mySQL and now I have all the server details showing up in the mysqladmin thing, but still no love from Visual Studio.

I give up - I'll ask one of the developers at work tomorrow.

[Smokie]

did you fix this Tim?

Maybe this will help?:
http://aspnet101.com/aspnet101/tutorials.aspx?id=39 (Using MySQL in ASP.Net)

[Tim356]

I spoke to one of the developers and he just recommended hard coding the database details instead of using the server explorer - he said that he has never used the server explorer for sql databases before. But I will check out your link Smokie, I appreciate your help!