# Connecting to MySQL using Microsoft .NET

> Add MySQL support to Microsoft Visual Studio so you can build .NET applications that connect to your MySQL databases.

Source: https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/developers/databases/connecting-to-mysql-using-microsoft-net/

**Connecting to MySQL using Microsoft .NET**\
This article explains how to integrate MySQL with Microsoft Visual Studio to develop .NET applications that access MySQL databases.

**Adding MySQL support to Visual Studio**\
Visual Studio does not include MySQL support by default. You need to install the following components:

- **MySQL for Visual Studio**: Adds MySQL support to Visual Studio's visual database tools. Download it from [MySQL for Visual Studio](http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/windows/visualstudio).
- **Connector/Net**: Adds .NET drivers for MySQL. Download it from [Connector/Net](https://dev.mysql.com/downloads/connector/net).

**Important:** To access MySQL databases remotely, add your IP address to the allowed list for remote access to avoid “Access denied” errors.

**Using Server Explorer**\
After installing MySQL for Visual Studio:

1. Start Visual Studio and go to **View > Server Explorer**.
2. Click the **Connect to Database** icon.
3. In the **Data source** list, select **MySQL Database** and click **Continue**.
4. Enter your Ruachost server name, database username, and password.
5. Enter the database name and click **Test Connection**. If successful, click **OK**.
6. Server Explorer displays the server and database. Double-click to explore **Tables, Views, Stored Procedures, Stored Functions, and UDFs**.

**Connecting to MySQL using .NET code**\
After installing Connector/Net:

1. Create a new Console Application project in Visual Studio.
2. Delete existing code and paste a template. Replace the connection string values with your server, database, user, and password details. Replace `table_name` with the table you want to query.

**C# Example:**

```
using System;
using System.Data;
using MySql.Data.MySqlClient;

namespace MySQL_test
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            string connstring = @"server=example.com;userid=example_user;password=example_password;database=example_database";
            MySqlConnection conn = null;

            try
            {
                conn = new MySqlConnection(connstring);
                conn.Open();

                string query = "SELECT * FROM table_name;";
                MySqlDataAdapter da = new MySqlDataAdapter(query, conn);
                DataSet ds = new DataSet();
                da.Fill(ds, "table_name");
                DataTable dt = ds.Tables["table_name"];

                foreach (DataRow row in dt.Rows)
                {
                    foreach (DataColumn col in dt.Columns)
                    {
                        Console.Write(row[col] + "\t");
                    }
                    Console.Write(" ");
                }
            }
            catch (Exception e)
            {
                Console.WriteLine("Error: {0}", e.ToString());
            }
            finally
            {
                if (conn != null)
                {
                    conn.Close();
                }
            }
        }
    }
}
```

**Visual Basic Example:**

```
Imports System
Imports System.Data
Imports MySql.Data.MySqlClient

Module Module1
    Sub Main()
        Dim connstring As String = "server=example.com;userid=example_user;password=example_password;database=example_database"
        Dim conn As MySqlConnection = Nothing

        Try
            conn = New MySqlConnection(connstring)
            conn.Open()

            Dim query As String = "SELECT * FROM table_name;"
            Dim da As New MySqlDataAdapter(query, conn)
            Dim ds As New DataSet()
            da.Fill(ds, "table_name")
            Dim dt As DataTable = ds.Tables("table_name")

            For Each row As DataRow In dt.Rows
                For Each col As DataColumn In dt.Columns
                    Console.Write(row(col).ToString() + vbTab)
                Next
                Console.Write(vbNewLine)
            Next
        Catch e As Exception
            Console.WriteLine("Error: {0}", e.ToString())
        Finally
            If conn IsNot Nothing Then
                conn.Close()
            End If
        End Try
    End Sub
End Module
```

3. Add a reference to **MySql.Data** via **Project > Add Reference > Assemblies > Extensions**.
4. Build the project and run it (**Debug > Start Without Debugging**) to see data from the selected table.

**More information**\
For details about Microsoft Visual Studio, visit [Visual Studio homepage](https://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/visual-studio-homepage-vs.aspx).