How to add SQL Server database to my VS11 Website? - sql-server

Question

I have a website project (C#/ASP.NET) opened in Visual Studio 11 (beta) which works with the built-in SQL Server Compact Edition. But, I would rather use my SQL Server 2012 which is installed on this machine, and I have my tables already created in it.
Question is, how do connect to it from VS11? Do I add it in the App_Data folder where I have the Compact database?
Right now I am opening my pre-made database with the
var db = Database.Open("StarterSite");
command.

Answer 1

If you already have the database created on SQL Server 2012, then just use it!
No need to add it to your project (and most definitely don't copy it into App_Data!).
Just create a connection string in your web.config something like:
<connectionStrings>
<add name="YourConnectionStringNameHere"
connectionString="server=(local);database=YourDatabase;Integrated Security=SSPI;" />
</connectionStrings>
and then use that in your app using all the normal ADO.NET components like SqlConnection or SqlCommand:
string connectionString = WebConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["YourConnectionStringNameHere"].ConnectionString;
using (SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
using (SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("your-sql-statement-here", conn))
{
// do work in your database here....
}
Or use something like Entity Framework to make your life even easier!

Answer 2

It will depend on the technique you wish to use to connect to the SQL server database. I prefer to set my connection string in the web.config and use that when connecting to my database. There are several options you might want to explore. Here is a good MSDN article explaining some techniques.
Connecting to Databases in ASP.NET