How to connect to mysql using mysql connector via C# without actually installing the connector

Question

We have a dot net 2.0 based C# product which uses Mysql as the data storage. When we install the mysql connector 6.3.6 on the XP/Win 7 machine, we are able to connect to the database from the C# code without any issues. But we are facing a problem while connecting to the mysql database when the mysql connector is actually not installed on the machine but is just present in the same directory as the executable. We don't want to install the connector on each and every machine we want the product to run on. We want the connectory dll to be used directly as we use any 3rd party dll (e.g logger) in our code.

Even when we copy the mysql.data.dll into the same directory where the exe is installed, it builds but does not connect to the database.

The error given is

Unable to find the requested .Net Framework Data Provider. It may not be installed Blockquote

Technical Information:

• Mysql 5.0
• C#
• Dot Net framework 2.0
• Mysql Connector 6.3.6 (same problem occurs with ver 6.0.3 of sql connector)
• Win XP/Win 7

When we are using ASP.Net, we can specify the tag given below into the web.config, and we can connect to mysql database directly by putting the dll into the bin directory

---

<system.data>
  <DbProviderFactories>
    <add name="MySQL Data Provider" invariant="MySql.Data.MySqlClient" description=".Net Framework Data Provider for MySQL" type="MySql.Data.MySqlClient.MySqlClientFactory, MySql.Data, Version=5.0.6.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=c5687fc88969c44d" />
  </DbProviderFactories>
</system.data>

---

Why can't we do the same thing in the C# for the Client Server application in the desktop environment.

Answer 1

Try something like this (I didn't check any possible versions/configurations, but it works currently on my Vista x64 for MySql some 5.5... and .net connector 6.4.3.0 - using mysql.data.dll for v4 from .net/mono download).

Make sure the referenced mysql.data.dll assembly below is in your current directory.

using(var dt = new DataTable()) {
    dt.Columns.Add("Name");
    dt.Columns.Add("Description");
    dt.Columns.Add("InvariantName");
    dt.Columns.Add("AssemblyQualifiedName");
    dt.Rows.Add("Mysql something", 
        "mysql more", 
        "mysqlClient",
        "MySql.Data.MySqlClient.MySqlClientFactory, MySql.Data, Version=6.4.3.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=c5687fc88969c44d");

    var f = DbProviderFactories.GetFactory(dt.Rows[0]);
    using(var conn = f.CreateConnection()) {
        conn.ConnectionString = "your string here";
        conn.Open();
        // and do your work here.
        Console.WriteLine(conn);
    }
}

Answer 2

This page doesn't go into much detail about .NET Framework dependency, but I suspect that the Mysql connector might be dependent on a later version of the .NET framework.

In other words, your application uses Framework 2, but what version does the Mysql connector use?

Answer 3

This entry:

<system.data>
  <DbProviderFactories>
    <add name="MySQL Data Provider" invariant="MySql.Data.MySqlClient" description=".Net Framework Data Provider for MySQL" type="MySql.Data.MySqlClient.MySqlClientFactory, MySql.Data, Version=5.0.6.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=c5687fc88969c44d" />
  </DbProviderFactories>
</system.data>

... needs to be written into your machine.config.

I believe the default path should be something like:

C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\CONFIG

Update
You should be able to include MySQL .Net/Connector installer as part of your installation package. The entry in the machine.config is required for the same reasons that information is required in a web.config.