The file neodb.mdf is in my App_Data folder and I can browse the database in the server explorer in visual studio, using built in SQLEXPRESS:
Currently trying to no avail:
<connectionStrings>
<add name="EFDbContext" connectionString=".\SQLExpress;AttachDbFilename=|DataDirectory|neodb.mdf; Database=neodb;Trusted_Connection=Yes;" providerName="System.Data.SqlClient"/>
</connectionStrings>
and
<connectionStrings>
<add name="EFDbContext" connectionString="Data Source=.SQLEXPRESS;Database=neodb.mdf;Integrated Security=True" providerName="System.Data.SqlClient"/>
</connectionStrings>
Also as I understand the *.mdf is an SQL server database file type and .dbo is owner of file when it's included in the initial catalog ? What's the initial catalog anywhere ?
If you have the *.mdf placed in App_Data folder, using this format works:
<connectionStrings>
<add name="ConnectionName"
connectionString="Data Source=.\SQLEXPRESS;AttachDbFilename=|DataDirectory|DatabaseName.mdf;Integrated Security=True;User Instance=True"
providerName="System.Data.SqlClient" />
</connectionStrings>
There is a simple way to retrieve the connection string to each database.
Double click on "DataBase.mdf" file in Solution Explorer > right click on the "DataBase.mdf" file in Server Explorer > click "Properties" > Now you can see the connection string (under the "Connection" header) in the properties menu!
If you wanted the database to be created in your App_Data folder. You can use the following ConnectionString:
<connectionStrings>
<add name="ConnectionName" connectionString="Data Source=.\SQLEXPRESS;AttachDbFilename=|DataDirectory|MyDatabase.mdf;Integrated Security=True;User Instance=True" providerName="System.Data.SqlClient" />
Alternatively you can use:
<add name="ConnectionName" connectionString="Data Source=(LocalDb)\v11.0;Initial Catalog=MyDatabase;Integrated Security=SSPI;" providerName="System.Data.SqlClient"/>
Also you will see MyDatabase.mdf and .ldf database files are created in the C:\Users\YourUserName Folder.