Why is mdf file not appearing in the App_Data folder?

Question

I've being trying to get started with Beginning ASP.NET MVC 4.

And hit a problem straight away, according to the e-book I should be able to start a new mvc 4 internet application, debug and select log-in form the UI tempate, then stop. This should create the mdf file in the App_Data folder. Which I should be able to click on and open in Server Explorer.

What actually happens - Database get created in my SQL Express.

Getting this step correct is crucial to following the rest of the tutorial.

I am familiar with MVC , but mainly the front end stuff, so I'm trying to increase my understanding of the database/models side of MVC.

This is a completely new project, no changes were made, just out of the box code. On a windows XP machine, using Visual Studio 2010.

Connectionstring -

  <add name="DefaultConnection" connectionString="Data Source=.\SQLEXPRESS;Initial Catalog=aspnet-HaveYouSeenMe-20131125091100;Integrated Security=SSPI" providerName="System.Data.SqlClient" />

Can anyone please explain - why my out of the box connectionstring is creating the Db in SQL Express and how to create the mdf in the App_Data folder as book suggests. cheers.

Answer 1

I know this says answered, but it may be as simple as clicking the "show all files" icon in the Solution Explorer. By default the .mdf file will not show up, so ensure the "show all files" is selected :)