How to Connect a MySQL Database using ASP.NET

Database

This post outlines how to connect to a MySQL Database using ASP.NET/MySql.Data. There are several key requirements you need to have in place before you begin.

  • Knowledge of computer programming.
  • Microsoft® Visual Studio .NET.
  • MySql Connector/NET on your development computer. For more information, click here.
  • Knowledge of MySql and specifically the MySql.Data Namespace.
  • A setup MySql Database.

Connecting to a MySQL Database using ASP.NET

  1. Find your database’s connection strings. Note: Change your password value to your real database password value.
  2. Using Microsoft Visual Studio .NET create an ASP.NET Project.
  3. Add a reference to MySql.Data.dll.
  4. Replace the value in the following code with your_ConnectionString with your database information.
  5. Insert the following code into your project including your modified your_ConnectionString value:

Note: If your MySQL database was established with the Allow Direct Database Access enabled, You are able to access the database from your development machine. If you haven’t activated Allow Direct Database Access, Your MySQL is hosted in a secure environment, making it impossible to connect to the database from your development machine. A successful connection can only be established once your code is deployed to the hosting server.

MySql.Data.MySqlClient.MySqlConnection mySqlConnection = new
MySql.Data.MySqlClient.MySqlConnection();


mySqlConnection.ConnectionString = “your_ConnectionString”;

try
{

mySqlConnection.Open();

switch (mySqlConnection.State)
{
case System.Data.ConnectionState.Open:
// Connection has been made
break;
case System.Data.ConnectionState.Closed:

// Connection could not be made, throw an error
throw new Exception(“The database connection state is Closed”);
break;

default:
// Connection is actively doing something else
break;
}

// Place Your Code Here to Process Data //
}
catch (MySql.Data.MySqlClient.MySqlException mySqlException)
{
// Use the mySqlException object to handle specific MySql errors
}
catch (Exception exception)
{
// Use the exception object to handle all other non-MySql specific errors
}
finally
{
// Make sure to only close connections that are not in a closed state
if (mySqlConnection.State != System.Data.ConnectionState.Closed)
{
// Close the connection as a good Garbage Collecting practice
mySqlConnection.Close();
}
}

You can establish a connection to a MySQL database using ASP.NET. Additionally, if you’re looking to link PHP websites to a MySQL database, refer to the earlier post. How to Connect PHP Websites to a MySQL Database.

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