Best way to set strongly typed dataset connection string at runtime?

Question

My Windows Forms application uses a strongly typed dataset created using the designer in Visual Studio. At runtime I would like to be able to select either the live or test database.

What is the best way to programmatically set the connection string for the dataset at runtime?

Answer 1

It's a pain to edit the designer file.

I created a Settings entry under "User' called 'ConnectionString', which makes Visual Studio create an application string 'Connection String1' when you add a strongly typed data set.

So, I just replace all 'ConnectionString1' with 'ConnectionString' in the dataset designer file, and that will allow you to use a 'User' string setting to load your connection string at runtime.

IMHO it's a shortcoming allowing users to modify connection strings at runtime. (Anyone listening in Redmond?)