How do I make the visual data controls relative to my program?

[Denaes]

I have a DataConnection, 8 dataAdapters and a dataset all on my main form.

 

By dragging my database from the Server Explorer, I saved like 20 pages of code setting up the dataAdapters.

 

But now that most of my main work is done, I need to test on another machine. And the DataConnection is a fixed path to the Access database.

 

I know how to change a path to make it dynamic, so that wherever you move your program, the database is found:

 

Path = Application.StartupPath & "\Data.mdb"

 

But in the visual controls, you're only allowed to select a predefined database path:

 

Ex: C:\Database\Test\Data.mdb

 

You can change a fixed path, but not make it dynamic. I even went into the generated code for the control on the form and changed it there, but got an error that Application.StartupPath wasn't proper formatting.

 

I tried to change the connectionstring on formload, right before I actually connect to the database, but the dataAdaptors must have already grabbed the old connection string because they keep using that.

 

Is there a solution to this that would let me keep my dataAdaptors (I don't care about making other objects via code, but data adaptors with databases of 10+columns are a ***** to write properties for by hand) but let me change the database location to something more dynamic?

[Arch4ngel]

First Close the connection.

 

Change the connection string. (You can put your DB on a Shared Drive so everybody could access it easily)

 

Last Open your connection before your operations with DataAdapter.

 

Worked for me.

[Robby]

I suggest creating your database objects at runtime instead of these design-time drag/drops or wizards. These samples will get you started http://samples.gotdotnet.com/QuickStart/winforms/default.aspx?url=/quickstart/winforms/doc/DataAccessPlaceHolder.aspx

 

I understand that you want to eliminate repitition of code, if you design the application corectly you will have even less code then you do currently.

[Denaes]

I suggest creating your database objects at runtime instead of these design-time drag/drops or wizards. These samples will get you started http://samples.gotdotnet.com/QuickStart/winforms/default.aspx?url=/quickstart/winforms/doc/DataAccessPlaceHolder.aspx

 

I understand that you want to eliminate repitition of code, if you design the application corectly you will have even less code then you do currently.

 

Yeah, I spent about a week or three working on my dataAdaptors at one point, with about a thousand lines of code and 80% of it unmanaged, and thus no way of checking errors other than testing and reading it line by line.

 

I have 8 tables, most relational, most having 10+ fields... it was a nightmare.