Read app.config values in .Net 6 console

Salam 26

Can somebody tell me how can I read my connection strings in ths app.config file in a .net 6 console

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>  
<configuration>  
	<connectionStrings>  
    <add name="ConnStr1"  
        connectionString="Data Source=MySqlK12;Initial Catalog=admin;Integrated Security=True;Encrypt=False;Application Name=EasyCompareDB;"  
        providerName="System.Data.SqlClient" />  
	<add name="ConnStr2"  
        connectionString="Data Source=SecondK1;Initial Catalog=admin;Integrated Security=True;Encrypt=False;Application Name=EasyCompareDB;"  
        providerName="System.Data.SqlClient" />  
  </connectionStrings>   
</configuration>

Thanks

Bryan Williams 36 Reputation points

2022-08-16T00:33:26.503+00:00

I have the same problem. I have a .NET 6.0 console app that's been working for months with an app.config file, since this was the ONLY configuration file that was listed as a standard file type in VS 2022 when I went to add one to my .NET 6.0 project. There is no appsettings.json file listed among the file types, so it didn't occur to me to add one manually.

But anyway, my app.config had been working for months with the connection strings, and then suddenly today it stopped building with a build error that ConfigurationManager no longer exists.

After some head-scratch and hair-pulling, I finally figured out what happened. VS 2022 has a new Remove Unused References command in the project menu. Naturally I clicked on it today. And naturally it removed the ConfigurationManager NuGet package that my project was using. To fix it, I went into NuGet Package Manager and added System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager manually. Now everything's working again.

However, the other commenter is right that we're not supposed to be using ConfigurationManager anymore, even though it is so much easier than using appsettings.json, which has to be set up manually and the structure defined manually. But alas, Microsoft wants us to go back to doing things the harder, manual way instead of just using a built-in service.

So I'd recommend migrating toward the appsettings.json when you have time, because it's the much more difficult future that Microsoft has in store for us, by forcing us to do everything ourselves, like it's 1976.
Justin Hull 0 Reputation points

2023-04-28T21:19:49.7466667+00:00

I signed in mainly to comment on your last two paragraphs for I to am scratching my head as to why Microsoft is going backwards in programming. I'm in the same boat where I have an original console .net framework (4.61) program that I am converting to using azure service bus functionality, thus it is based in .net core (6).

Now, instead of a global ConfirguarionManager object that I can use to access an app.config file, I have to create a set of classes, one as a "StartUp" that creates the binding to the json file, specific classes that represent the original appsettings group and connectionstring group. This then has to be created and referenced in every class where I use to have the original CM get of a key/value pair.

I am going to look into seeing if I can create a static CONSTANTS class object that can be accessed globally, but seriously Microsoft, if you want to add new capabilities that is fine, but something like CM should not have been touched or at the least, augmented use json formatting with a parameter.

4 answers

bkwdesign 11 Reputation points

2022-09-18T05:23:48.753+00:00
I have a unit test project that I coverted to SDK format, and I want it to support both Framework 4.8 and .NET 6.0
So, my legacy code that I transitioned into this format, already features an app.config file.

The tests would build successfully, properly duplicated for each framework target, and the 4.8 tests would pass, but the 6.0 tests couldn't find a connection string

I had a PackageReference for: System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager version 6.0.1

The root of the problem is that when building the project, the app.config is not transformed into MyCorp.MyTest.exe.config

I finally found this snippet over on this GitHub thread:

#if NETCOREAPP using System.Configuration; using System.IO; using System.Reflection; #endif ... // In your global setup: #if NETCOREAPP string configFile = $"{Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly().Location}.config"; string outputConfigFile = ConfigurationManager.OpenExeConfiguration(ConfigurationUserLevel.None).FilePath; File.Copy(configFile, outputConfigFile, true); #endif
Please sign in to rate this answer.

2 people found this answer helpful.

0 comments No comments
Sign in to comment
Bruce (SqlWork.com) 55,686 Reputation points

2022-06-28T15:37:05.67+00:00

net core typically uses json files instead of xml:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/core/extensions/configuration

if you need xml support, you will need to manually configure xml support:

https://www.thecodebuzz.com/loading-configuration-json-ini-xml-net-core/
Please sign in to rate this answer.

0 comments No comments
Sign in to comment
Salam 26 Reputation points

2022-06-28T19:58:37.71+00:00

Sorry Bruce, but when I right-clicked the project in VS 2022, > add configuration file, it added app.config and not json file. It is not a net core it is a .net console application
Please sign in to rate this answer.
Bruce (SqlWork.com) 55,686 Reputation points

2022-06-29T02:22:20.72+00:00

Your title said net 6 console app.

In 4.8 framework you need to a nuget configuration package, and initialize it to read app settings.

https://github.com/dotnet/runtime

Salam 26 Reputation points

2022-06-29T16:06:28.507+00:00

Bruce, not sure why do you talk about 4.8? Yes, it is a .Net 6 Console application in VS 2022, please see snapshot hereunder. If you are aware of any piece of code that allows me to acheive what I am trying to do please respond, otherwise, refrain from responding with answers that has nothing to do with my issue.

Note, I tried to uplaod the screenshot of VS2022 but it seems that this uploading function does not work on this site

Bruce (SqlWork.com) 55,686 Reputation points

2022-06-29T22:03:09.593+00:00

.net 6 console app uses appsettings.json, app.config is for 4.* frameworks

add appsetting.json to project (set prop: copy to output directory) :

{ "ConnectionStrings" : { "db": "my connection string " } }

then program.cs:

using Microsoft.Extensions.Configuration; var config = new ConfigurationBuilder() .AddJsonFile("appsettings.json", false) .Build(); Console.WriteLine($"db = {config.GetConnectionString("db")}");

you will need to add Microsoft.Extensions.Hosting:

<Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk"> <PropertyGroup> <OutputType>Exe</OutputType> <TargetFramework>net6.0</TargetFramework> <ImplicitUsings>enable</ImplicitUsings> <Nullable>enable</Nullable> </PropertyGroup> <ItemGroup> <PackageReference Include="Microsoft.Extensions.Hosting" Version="6.0.1" /> </ItemGroup> <ItemGroup> <Content Include="appsettings.json"> <CopyToOutputDirectory>PreserveNewest</CopyToOutputDirectory> </Content> </ItemGroup> </Project>

Salam 26 Reputation points

2022-06-30T08:29:54.787+00:00

Thanks, yes this did the job. But reaaly I am astonsihed why MS did not allow to add appsettings.json instead of app.config that does not work any more as before and make it the default!!!!

mtucker 1 Reputation point

2022-08-16T23:09:14.82+00:00

good grief, thank you so much Bruce. I was starting to think I was going crazy!

I'm thrown off a bit why Microsoft made this drastic of a change over a ... config file on startup, but, this got me going!

Abdul Wahab 1 Reputation point

2022-12-02T12:22:49.643+00:00

Thank you! I was scratching my head not to find appsettings.json after I created the .NET 6 console app. So, we need to add package references manually to get the configuration capabilities. I'm curious why this isn't included in the command template itself.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/core/extensions/configuration#configure-console-apps
Sign in to comment
Salam 26 Reputation points

2022-06-28T20:02:19.08+00:00

Also, I visited the 2nd URL you provided, it is mainly for .net core with the old startup and program stuff which is not the case in my .Net 6 standard project
Please sign in to rate this answer.

0 comments No comments
Sign in to comment