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Step-by-Step Guide: Creating an ASP.NET WebForms Application and Connecting an MDF Database | Mini project | Madras University

 This guide provides a clear, step-by-step approach to creating an ASP.NET Web Forms application and integrating an MDF (Microsoft Database File) SQL Server database using Visual Studio 2012.

By following these instructions, you will learn how to:

  •  Set up a new ASP.NET WebForms project
  • Add an MDF database file to your application
  • Connect the database to a web form
  • Retrieve and use the connection string

This tutorial simplifies database integration in ASP.NET WebForms, making managing and interacting with data in your projects easier. Let’s get started!

Creating a New  Project 

  • Open Visual Studio 2012.

  • Click on File > New > Website.

  • In the 'New Project' window, select 'Visual C#' from the left panel

  • Choose 'ASP.NET Empty Website' (Visual C#) from the listed project template.

  • Choose a preferred location to save it or use the default location.

  • Enter a suitable project name (e.g., Miniproject).

  • After selecting the project type, click 'OK' to create the project

Creating and Adding an MDF Database File

  • In Solution Explorer, right-click on the project name (e.g., Miniproject).

  • In the context menu, select 'Add' >  'Add New Item'.

  • In the pop-up window, use the search bar in the top-right corner to search for 'SQL'.

  • From the list choose SQL Server Database. with Visual C# 

  • Provide a name for the database file (e.g., MyDatabase.mdf).

  • Click 'Add' to include the database in the project.

  • A pop-up window will appear, confirming that the .mdf file will be added to the App_Data folder.
  • If the App_Data folder does not already exist, it will be created automatically, and your database file will be placed inside it.
  • The database has been successfully added to the Server Explorer.
    If the database is in a disconnected state, refresh it to make it available
  • Right-click on the database and select 'Refresh' to ensure it loads properly.
  • Open Server Explorer in Visual Studio (View > Server Explorer).

View Connection String in Properties

  • In Server Explorer, locate your database connection under Data Connections.

  • Right-click the database and select Properties.

  • In the Properties window, look for the Connection String field.

  • The connection string should look like this:

    Data Source=(LocalDB)\MSSQLLocalDB;AttachDbFilename=|DataDirectory|MyDatabase.mdf;Integrated Security=True

  • Copy this connection string for use in Web.config or other configurations in the project.

Conclusion

we have successfully created an ASP.NET Web Forms application, we have added an MDF SQL Server database and Saw where to get the connection string of the database.

In Our Next Tutorial:

  • In our next tutorial, we will create a user registration page to save user details,
  •  Implement login functionality with session management,
  • Redirect users to the home page after successful authentication.
Stay tuned! 🚀