ConnectionStrings

ConnectionStrings are configuration strings used by applications to establish connections to data sources such as relational databases, file-based databases, or other services. A connection string conveys the destination, authentication method, and various options that influence how the connection is created and used.

Typical structure consists of key=value pairs separated by semicolons. The exact keys depend on the provider, but common elements include the data source (Server or Data Source), the database name (Database or Initial Catalog), and authentication details (User Id and Password, or Integrated Security). Optional parameters control timeouts, encryption, and connection pooling.

Examples:

SQL Server with SQL Server authentication: Server=myServerAddress;Database=myDataBase;User Id=myUsername;Password=myPassword;

SQL Server with Windows authentication: Data Source=myServer;Initial Catalog=myDataBase;Integrated Security=True;

MySQL: Server=localhost;Database=mydb;User=myuser;Password=mypassword;SslMode=REQUIRED;

PostgreSQL: Host=localhost;Port=5432;Database=mydb;Username=myuser;Password=mypassword;

SQLite: Data Source=c:\myFolder\mydb.db;Version=3;

Usage and security:

Applications typically read connection strings from configuration files, environment variables, or secret stores. Frameworks often provide a dedicated location or section (for example, a ConnectionStrings section in .NET) to organize them. It is advised to avoid embedding credentials in source code; use integrated security, managed identities, or secrets management, and consider encryption for stored strings. Connection pooling and timeouts are common tuning options to improve reliability and performance.

Variants and related terms:

In some ecosystems the term DSN (Data Source Name) or JDBC URL is used. The exact syntax and available options vary by provider, but the general concept remains the same: a string that specifies where to connect, how to authenticate, and how the connection should behave.