connectionString in web.Config

[skipperben]

Hello,

I'm trying to use Server.MapPath("xxx/xxx.mdb") in my web.Config file.

I used:
<appSettings>
<add key="ConnectionString" value="Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0; Data Source=" + Server.MapPath + "\xxx\xxx.mdb" />
</appSettings>

... and I got a Configuration Error: The '+' character, hexadecimal value 0x2B, cannot begin with a name. Line 4, position 85.

If I Dim the full statement in a Sub/Function, it works - but I'm trying to get more use out of my web.Config file.

Thanks,
~ Ben

[Phil Weber]

Config entries are not executable, so they may not include code. You can, however, do this:

<add key="ConnectionString" value="Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0; Data Source={0}\xxx\xxx.mdb" />

Then in your code-behind, read the ConnectionString and use String.Format to insert the path:

ConnectionString = String.Format(ConnectionString, Server.MapPath)

[skipperben]

Thanks Phil for that insight on config not being executable...

I ended up putting in my web.Config:
<add key="ConnectionString" value="Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0; Data Source=" />

... and in my VB code:
Dim connectionString As String = ConfigurationSettings.AppSettings("ConnectionString") & Server.MapPath("xxx/xxx.mdb")

I couldn't quite get using the {0} and String.Format to work.

Thanks again for helping out a college student

~ Ben