Recommended use of connection names instead of strings when connecting to an external database

Administration Database
1

We strongly recommend using a connection name rather than a connection string in your custom solution or application code when connecting to an external database in order to simplify multi-environment management.

Connection string names are centrally managed in the WorkflowGen web.config file.

<configuration>
  <connectionStrings>
    <add name="MainDbSource" connectionString="..." providerName="System.Data.SqlClient" />
    <add name="ERP_DB" connectionString="..." providerName="System.Data.OleDb" />
    <add name="HR_DB" connectionString="..." providerName="System.Data.OracleClient" />
  </connectionStrings>
</configuration>

This applies to:

  • Custom ASP.NET web form code-behind and databound controls

  • Form Designer databound ListBox and DropDownListBox form fields

  • Global Lists

  • XMLTODATABASE transaction files