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LibraryConnecting ASP.NET Core Applications to Azure SQL Database

Connecting ASP.NET Core Applications to Azure SQL Database

Learn about Connecting ASP.NET Core Applications to Azure SQL Database as part of C# .NET Development and Azure Integration

Table of Contents

Connecting ASP.NET Core to Azure SQL Database

This module guides you through the essential steps of connecting your ASP.NET Core applications to Azure SQL Database, a powerful and scalable cloud database service. We'll cover the fundamental concepts, configuration, and best practices for seamless integration.

Understanding Azure SQL Database

Azure SQL Database is a fully managed Platform as a Service (PaaS) database engine that handles most of the database management functions such as upgrading, patching, backups, and high availability without user involvement. It's built on the SQL Server engine, offering familiar T-SQL capabilities.

Azure SQL Database offers managed, scalable, and secure relational database capabilities in the cloud.

As a PaaS offering, it abstracts away infrastructure management, allowing developers to focus on application logic. It provides features like automatic backups, patching, and high availability.

Azure SQL Database is designed for modern cloud applications. It supports various deployment models, including single databases, elastic pools, and managed instances, catering to different application needs and scaling requirements. Its security features include threat detection, vulnerability assessment, and transparent data encryption.

Prerequisites for Connection

Before you can connect your ASP.NET Core application, ensure you have the following:

  • An active Azure subscription.
  • An Azure SQL Database instance created and configured.
  • The connection string for your Azure SQL Database.

Obtaining the Connection String

The connection string is the key to establishing a link between your application and the database. You can find it in the Azure portal for your SQL Database resource.

The connection string typically includes server name, database name, user ID, and password or authentication method.

Configuring ASP.NET Core for Database Connection

ASP.NET Core uses the

code
appsettings.json
file to store configuration settings, including database connection strings. It's crucial to manage sensitive information like connection strings securely.

Storing the Connection String

Add your Azure SQL Database connection string to the

code
appsettings.json
file under a descriptive key, for example,
code
ConnectionStrings
.

json
{
  "ConnectionStrings": {
    "DefaultConnection": "Server=your_server_name.database.windows.net;Database=your_database_name;User ID=your_user_id;Password=your_password;Encrypt=True;TrustServerCertificate=False;Connection Timeout=30;" 
  }
}

Using Entity Framework Core

Entity Framework Core (EF Core) is a popular Object-Relational Mapper (ORM) for .NET that simplifies database interactions. You'll typically use EF Core to define your data models and interact with the database.

First, install the necessary EF Core NuGet packages:

  • code
    Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.SqlServer
  • code
    Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.Tools
    (for migrations)

Configuring the DbContext

In your

code
Startup.cs
(or
code
Program.cs
in .NET 6+), configure your
code
DbContext
to use the connection string.

In

code
Program.cs
(.NET 6+):

csharp
builder.Services.AddDbContext(options =>
    options.UseSqlServer(builder.Configuration.GetConnectionString("DefaultConnection")));

Ensure you have a

code
DbContext
class, for example:

csharp
public class ApplicationDbContext : DbContext
{
    public ApplicationDbContext(DbContextOptions options)
        : base(options)
    {
    }
    public DbSet YourModels { get; set; }
}

Security Considerations

Storing connection strings directly in

code
appsettings.json
is acceptable for development but not recommended for production. For production environments, consider using more secure methods like Azure Key Vault or environment variables.

Never commit sensitive connection string details directly into your source code repository.

Making Database Operations

Once configured, you can inject your

code
DbContext
into your controllers or services to perform CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations.

Example in a controller:

csharp
public class HomeController : Controller
{
    private readonly ApplicationDbContext _context;
    public HomeController(ApplicationDbContext context)
    {
        _context = context;
    }
    public IActionResult Index()
    {
        var items = _context.YourModels.ToList();
        return View(items);
    }
}

Summary and Next Steps

You've learned how to connect your ASP.NET Core application to Azure SQL Database by configuring connection strings and using Entity Framework Core. For production, prioritize secure credential management. Next, explore database migrations, advanced EF Core features, and optimizing performance.

What is the primary configuration file used in ASP.NET Core to store database connection strings?

appsettings.json

Which ORM is commonly used with ASP.NET Core for database interactions?

Entity Framework Core (EF Core)

Why is it important to manage connection strings securely in production environments?

To prevent unauthorized access to sensitive database credentials and protect against security breaches.

Learning Resources

Connect to Azure SQL Database with Entity Framework Core(documentation)

Official Microsoft documentation detailing the steps to connect ASP.NET Core applications to Azure SQL Database using Entity Framework Core, including code examples.

ASP.NET Core Configuration(documentation)

Learn how ASP.NET Core handles configuration, including reading connection strings from various sources like appsettings.json.

Get Started with Azure SQL Database(tutorial)

A comprehensive tutorial on creating and configuring your first Azure SQL Database instance.

Entity Framework Core - Getting Started(documentation)

The official guide to Entity Framework Core, covering installation, DbContext configuration, and basic data operations.

Securely Manage Secrets in ASP.NET Core(documentation)

Explains methods for securely managing secrets, such as connection strings, during development and deployment in ASP.NET Core.

Azure SQL Database Connection Strings(documentation)

A helpful resource listing various connection string formats and options for Azure SQL Database.

Introduction to Azure SQL Database(documentation)

An overview of Azure SQL Database's features, benefits, and use cases from the official Azure product page.

Using Azure Key Vault with ASP.NET Core(documentation)

Learn how to integrate Azure Key Vault to securely store and retrieve secrets like database connection strings in your ASP.NET Core applications.

EF Core Migrations Explained(documentation)

Understand how to use EF Core migrations to manage database schema changes as your application evolves.

Best Practices for Azure SQL Database(documentation)

Essential best practices for performance, security, and cost optimization when using Azure SQL Database.