How to verify and manage the app.config file in Visual Studio? - wpf

Question

I am making a WPF application in Visual Studio 2015. The database layer is using Entity Framework, which generated a connection string in the app.config file. The database connection works and the app runs. Nonetheless, at design-time, Visual Studio complains about there being "no connection string named in the application configuration file" -- but there is.
Since it seems to resolve itself as run-time, I ignored the warnings up until now. However, now the issue is interfering with the design process -- Visual Studio is claiming not being able to make instances of classes that use the connection.
I have tried moving the app.config around into various positions in the project structure, renaming it to match the app's name, cleaning and rebuilding the project.
I believe that, at design-time, not all files are referencing the same app.config. Something about my project structure must be off.
How can I determine and/or change the path that EF is following to the app.config?
The XML from the app.config:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<configuration>
<configSections>
<section name="entityFramework" type="System.Data.Entity.Internal.ConfigFile.EntityFrameworkSection, EntityFramework, Version=6.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b77a5c561934e089" requirePermission="false" />
<!-- For more information on Entity Framework configuration, visit http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=237468 -->
</configSections>
<startup>
<supportedRuntime version="v4.0" sku=".NETFramework,Version=v4.5.2" />
</startup>
<connectionStrings>
<add name="MYAPPSNAME" connectionString="metadata=res://*/MYDBNAME.csdl|res://*/MYDBNAME.ssdl|res://*/MYDBNAME.msl;provider=MySql.Data.MySqlClient;provider connection string="server=193.169.2.123;user id=devs;password=*********;persistsecurityinfo=True;convertzerodatetime=True;database=MYDBNAME"" providerName="System.Data.EntityClient" /></connectionStrings>
<entityFramework>
<defaultConnectionFactory type="System.Data.Entity.Infrastructure.LocalDbConnectionFactory, EntityFramework">
<parameters>
<parameter value="v11.0" />
</parameters>
</defaultConnectionFactory>
<providers>
<provider invariantName="MySql.Data.MySqlClient" type="MySql.Data.MySqlClient.MySqlProviderServices, MySql.Data.Entity.EF6" />
<provider invariantName="System.Data.SqlClient" type="System.Data.Entity.SqlServer.SqlProviderServices, EntityFramework.SqlServer" />
</providers>
</entityFramework>
</configuration>

Answer 1

I found a solution to my problem here: https://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/vstudio/en-US/257ca21a-15cd-4d21-84df-79cc6bcbe546/getting-a-no-connection-string-named-cound-be-found-in-the-application-config-file-error-and-i?forum=wpf
Essentially, I add the following to the constructors of classes that establish a database connection; it checks if the project is in Designer Mode, and if so, returns before trying to make a database connection.
if (DesignerProperties.GetIsInDesignMode(new DependencyObject()))
return;
In this way, I avoid the issue of Visual Studio trying to make a db connection from the designer, so it doesn't complain and allows me to design freely. At run-time, still no issues. :)
Still not entirely sure of the source of the problem -- I am still guessing that at design-time, the app.config file is not fully read/parsed, so the designer is complaining about not having enough information to construct such classes.

Answer 2

If it shows up in Solution Explorer then properties will show you where it is. You should be able to open and edit it right there.
If app.config is not in Solution Explorer it should be in the same folder has the MainWindow. Make sure you also add (Add Existing) in the project in Visual Studio. The file should show up in the Solution Explorer.