Attach sql mdf file in code

[redhat37]

How do i attach a sql express .mdf file which is located in a certain folder on my C: drive to sql express in my code, there are many examples on the web but none of them seem to give a code example which works, I am using visual Studio 2008 and Sql Express 2005

[MrMancunian]

I think this should work:

dim cnnConnection As New SqlConnection("Data Source=.\SQLEXPRESS;AttachDbFilename=C:\database.mdf;Integrated Security=True;Connect Timeout=30;User Instance=True")

Of course you'll need to have SQL Express installed.

Steven

[aryanbs]

Here is a good repository of connection strings

http://www.connectionstrings.com/sql-server-2005

[redhat37]

Thanks, that works, but it does not persist the attachment in sql manager,

            Dim cnnConnection As New SqlConnection("Data Source=.\SQLEXPRESS;AttachDbFilename=" & Application.StartupPath + "\datafiles\" + TextBox1.Text + ".mdf" & ";Integrated Security=True;Connect Timeout=30;User Instance=True")

Is it possible to keep this file attached after the program has exited

[redhat37]

I got it to work, thanks for all the excellent help, this is the solution

                Dim cnnConnection As New SqlConnection("Data Source=.\SQLEXPRESS;AttachDbFilename=" & Application.StartupPath + "\datafiles\" + TextBox1.Text + ".mdf" & ";Integrated Security=True;Database='" & TextBox1.Text & "';Connect Timeout=30")
                cnnConnection.Open()
                cnnConnection.Close()