How can I get data from another database in dotnetnuke?

Question

I'm just beginning to develop modules for dotnetnuke (just 2 weeks ago),

I've installed DotNetNuke 6.2 perfectly on XP, I'm working with VS2008, and SQL SERVER 2008 express edition.

I have a database called "dnn" that I use for the tables for framework DNN.

But now I want to get data from another database called Sales (for example) which is inside the same instance of the SQL Server 2008. I really don't have any idea how to connect with this database from my custom user control .aspx. I tried to put the normal code for connect with the database. I did generate the connection string, I did generate the connection, and do the queries from a c# class but this don't work.

Yesterday I found a data access document from dotnetnuke -- but I don't understand how to implement a new connection in my custom module). So my question is, how I can connect with this Sales database?

Anthony · Accepted Answer · 2014-05-19T20:35:01.300

2

If you don't plan on selling your module which seems unlikely since you planning to connect to a DB out side of dnn.

I would just use .net

Add System.Configuration to your reference if you don't have it already.

then:

System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["MyConnectionstring"]

in you web config add the new connection string to your connection string section

  <connectionStrings>
    <add name="MyConnectionstring" connectionString="blah" />
 </connectionStrings>

One thing to remember is that DNN is just a frame work around asp.net so you have all the .net data access tools at your disposal.

Using the example above I could write something simple like this:

string connectionstr = System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["MyConnectionstring"]

using (SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection(connectionstr ))
{
  // I am using the SqlHelper class here its part of DNN
  sqlstr = "Select * From SomeTable"
  using(SqlReader reader = SqlHelper.ExecuteReader(conn, sqlstr))
  {
    while(reader.read())
    {
     /// read into object or what ever
    }
   }
}

edited May 19 '14 at 20:35

answered Jul 10 '12 at 23:16

Anthony

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Thanks Anthony for your answer!, but now I get another cuestion!, Don't I do the connection at Sales Database using the dnn class?(like DataProvider, SqlDataProvider), Can I define my own SqlDataProvider class to implement this connection. this is what i want do. I've been Reading a Data Access Manual in which, first i need to configure the web.config file adding a new connection string and next i have to specify the provider that will use this other connection string. And now I have to implement a new SqlDataProvider class for this connection. do I can do that? How? Excuse my ignorance. – Alejandro Garcia Jul 11 '12 at 15:49
I updated my answer to include some of what @Mitchel was saying, but I didn't have time to dig back into the class hydration stuff. – Anthony Jul 11 '12 at 22:32
Ok Anthony, I'm going to take your advice, and I'll connect with this way!, thanks . I'm going to study more about DNN. I have just 2 weeks as a dnn's modules developer for myself, Thanks Again for your answers and if there are more will be welcome. – Alejandro Garcia Jul 11 '12 at 22:49
@AlejandroGarcia If you like my answer could you mark it as correct thanks! – Anthony Jul 11 '12 at 23:14
Wooow I already could connect to my database! andd Works Jaja Thank you Again! – Alejandro Garcia Jul 13 '12 at 21:29

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 11 '12 at 17:36

I noticed the comments from the other reply and thought I'd add a bit here.

Once you are going to connect to another database, you are outside the relm of the standard DotNetNuke configuration processes. I think you could create a custom data provider/SqlDataProvider setup, but more than likely it isn't that simple.

When working outside the confines of DNN I handle the data access myself directly using SqlHelper and use CBO to help with data hydration but do not work with the DataProvider model for that external database.

thank you Mitchel Sellers, I have already noticed it! Woow Mitchel Sellers has written to my question!!!! I began study your book "Professional DotNetNuke Module Programming (Wrox Programmer to Programmer)", Cute! — Alejandro Garcia, Jul 11 '12 at 22:57

How can I get data from another database in dotnetnuke?

2 Answers2