C# applicationSettings: how to update app.config?

Question

I am using .NET 4.0 and I would like to use the app.config file to store same parameter settings. I do the following. I use the Settings tab in the

Answer 1

Here's my function to update or add an entry into the app.config for "applicationSettings" section. There might be a better way, but this works for me. If anyone can suggest a better method please share it, we'll always looking for something better.

    static string APPNODE = System.Reflection.Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly().GetName().Name + ".Properties.Settings";
    static DateTime now = DateTime.Now;
    Utilities.UpdateConfig(APPNODE, "lastQueryTime", now.ToString());

    static public void UpdateConfig(string section, string key, string value)
    {
        Configuration config = ConfigurationManager.OpenExeConfiguration(ConfigurationUserLevel.None);

        ClientSettingsSection applicationSettingsSection = (ClientSettingsSection)config.SectionGroups["applicationSettings"].Sections[section];
        SettingElement element = applicationSettingsSection.Settings.Get(key);

        if (null != element)
        {
            applicationSettingsSection.Settings.Remove(element);
            element.Value.ValueXml.InnerXml = value;
            applicationSettingsSection.Settings.Add(element);
        }
        else
        {
            element = new SettingElement(key, SettingsSerializeAs.String);
            element.Value = new SettingValueElement();
            System.Xml.XmlDocument doc = new System.Xml.XmlDocument();
            element.Value.ValueXml = doc.CreateElement("value");

            element.Value.ValueXml.InnerXml = value;
            applicationSettingsSection.Settings.Add(element);
        }

        config.Save(ConfigurationSaveMode.Modified);
        ConfigurationManager.RefreshSection("applicationSettings");            
    }