[mysql] How to connect to a MySQL Data Source in Visual Studio

I use the MySQL Connector/Net to connect to my database by referencing the assembly (MySql.Data.dll) and passing in a connection string to MySqlConnection. I like that because I don't have to install anything.

Is there some way to "Choose Data Source" in Visual Studio 2010 without installing something?

How can I get a MySQL option (localhost) to show up on one of these lists? Or do I have to install something?

(I don't want to use ODBC btw)

"Add Connection" from Server Explorer:

Entity Data Model Wizard:

After a lot of searching and trying many solutions, I got it finally:

1. uninstall connector

2. uninstall MySQL for Visual Studio from control panel

   

3. reinstall them according to the table below

   

4. copy the assembly files from C:\Program Files (x86)\MySQL\MySQL Connector Net 6.9.8\Assemblies\v4.5 to C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 12.0\Common7\IDE

5. log off and reopen your solution

6. enjoy

Installing the following packages:

• Connector/NET 8.0.16: https://dev.mysql.com/downloads/connector/net/
• MySQL for Visual Studio 1.2.8: https://dev.mysql.com/downloads/windows/visualstudio/

adds MySQL Database to the data sources list (Visual Studio 2017)

Right Click the Project in Solution Explorer and click Manage NuGet Packages

Search for MySql.Data package, when you find it click on Install

Here is the sample controller which connects to MySql database using the mysql package. We mainly make use of MySqlConnection connection object.

 public class HomeController : Controller
{
    public ActionResult Index()
    {
        List<employeemodel> employees = new List<employeemodel>();
        string constr = ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["ConString"].ConnectionString;
        using (MySqlConnection con = new MySqlConnection(constr))
        {
            string query = "SELECT EmployeeId, Name, Country FROM Employees";
            using (MySqlCommand cmd = new MySqlCommand(query))
            {
                cmd.Connection = con;
               con.Open();
                using (MySqlDataReader sdr = cmd.ExecuteReader())
                {
                    while (sdr.Read())
                    {
                        employees.Add(new EmployeeModel
                        {
                            EmployeeId = Convert.ToInt32(sdr["EmployeeId"]),
                            Name = sdr["Name"].ToString(),
                            Country = sdr["Country"].ToString()
                        });
                    }
                }
                con.Close();
            }
        }

        return View(employees);
    }
}

This seems to be a common problem. I had to uninstall the latest Connector/NET driver (6.7.4) and install an older version (6.6.5) for it to work. Others report 6.6.6 working for them.

See other topic with more info: MySQL Data Source not appearing in Visual Studio

View ImageI have got the same problem for my vs 2013 on 64-bit machine. So i tried to download MySql extension for VS and install it on my machine. and restart the vs.

1. Download MySQL Connector .NET (6.9.4 on this date) from here and install it CUSTOM!
2. Remove the ASP.NET WEB providers option or the installer will write in machine.config!
3. Download MySQL for Visual Studio from here and install it CUSTOM. Be sure to check the integration options. You need this step because after Connector .NET 6.7 the installer will no longer integrate the connector with Visual Studio. This installer can take longer then expected. This is it.

You can install it from alternate download here which should have integrated with VS correctly but it did not and I got a strange error and after the reinstall it is ok.

"Starting with version 6.7, Connector/Net will no longer include the MySQL for Visual Studio integration. That functionality is now available in a separate product called MySQL for Visual Studio available using the MySQL Installer for Windows."

Source: http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/connector/net/6.6.html

unfortunately this is not supported in the builtin tools in visual studio. however, you can create your own data provider using mysql connector but still have to integrate it from code

install the MySQL .NET Connector found here http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/connector/net/

In order to get the MySQL Database item in the Choose Data Source window, one should install the MySQL for Visual Studio package available here (the last version today is 1.2.6):

https://dev.mysql.com/downloads/windows/visualstudio/