How to Connect to a MySQL Database in C# Projects

MySQL Connector/NET and MySQL for Visual Studio

To establish a connection between your C# application and a MySQL database, you'll need either MySQL Connector/NET or MySQL for Visual Studio. The former is a MySQL-specific data provider for .NET, while the latter enhances Visual Studio support for MySQL development.

Installing the Connector DLL with the Program

You don't need to install these tools into your application. Instead, you can simply release the connector DLL along with your program. This approach allows you to distribute your application without requiring users to install additional software.

Dependencies for End-Users

For end-users to use your application successfully, they only need the MySQL Connector/NET. They do not require MySQL for Visual Studio.

Connecting to the Database in Your Code

To connect to a MySQL database, you can use the following code:

using Oracle.ManagedDataAccess.Client;
...
MySqlConnection conn = new MySqlConnection("Server=localhost;Database=myDB;Uid=myUsername;Pwd=myPassword;");
conn.Open();
...
conn.Dispose();

This code sample requires the Oracle.ManagedDataAccess.Client NuGet package.

Conclusion

By following the steps outlined above, you can easily establish a connection to a MySQL database in your C# applications and retrieve or modify data as needed.