How to Connect to SQL Server using LINQ to SQL?

Question

Sure this is a really dumb question, but how do I connect my C# console app to a SQL Server Instance?

Have done this plenty of times with c# Web Apps, but this is the first console app I've done.

The only data source I can see (in VS 2010) is SQL Server Database File - I can't see how to connect to a SQL instance on a different server.

Answer 1

Step 1: Add a connection to your Server Explorer

After that is added, you should see it appear under the server exlporer tab on the left side of your screen.

Step 2: Add a Linq to SQL file (.dbml) to your project

Step 3: Open the .dbml file from the file explorer on the right hand side of Visual Studio

Step 4: Open up your connection via the drop down arrows on you server browser so that you can see the tables you which to use in your console app

Step 5: Drag them onto the design area (as seen by the yellow lines and the result of doing this in the green box)

Step 6: Go back to your .cs page for your console, instantiate, and get to work

EDIT:

My guess would be that you may be missing SQL server from your computer. Check your start menu, do you have Microsoft SQL Server folder with a configuration tool in it as seen here?:

Answer 2

When you've created your console application, in the Solution Explorer, choose Add New Item and you should get a dialog box something like this:

What you're looking for is the Linq-to-SQL Classes which creates a *.dbml model file.

For a very complete and thorough introduction to Linq-to-SQL, read Scott Guthrie's Using Linq to SQL blog series (many posts). Those things all apply to any kind of app using Linq-to-SQL to talk to SQL Server.

Answer 3

It sounds like you want to create a new LINQ To SQL dbml to your console app, and use Visual Studio's Server Explorer as part of the process.

Add a .dbml to your project as per normal.

Your Server Explorer window in Visual Studio should allow you to create a new Connection. Ensure you're using SqlClient. Here you can enter the instance name of your SQL Server.