IndianTechnoEra: MySQL with ASP.NET Web Forms (C#) - IndianTechnoEra

🛠️ How to Connect MySQL with ASP.NET Web Forms (C#) – Full Guide

Integrating MySQL with your ASP.NET Web Forms application is a great way to use an open-source, robust database system. In this guide, we’ll walk through everything from setting up the connection to executing queries using MySql.Data.

1. 🔧 Prerequisites

Before we begin, make sure you have:

• MySQL Server installed locally or remotely
• Visual Studio with .NET Web Forms support
• A MySQL database created
• Basic knowledge of C# and Web Forms

2. 📦 Installing MySQL Connector

Use NuGet Package Manager to install the MySQL connector.

Option 1: GUI

• Right-click on your project > Manage NuGet Packages
• Search for MySql.Data and install it

Option 2: Console

Install-Package MySql.Data

3. ⚙️ Updating Web.config

Add your connection string:

<connectionStrings>
  <add name="DefaultConnection"
       connectionString="Server=localhost;Database=your_db;Uid=your_user;Pwd=your_password;"
       providerName="MySql.Data.MySqlClient" />
</connectionStrings>

Replace: your_db, your_user, your_password with actual credentials.

4. 🧑‍💻 Creating a User Model

public class UserModel
{
    public string UserName { get; set; }
    public string Password { get; set; }
    public string Email { get; set; }
    public string Phone { get; set; }
}

5. 💾 Inserting Data into MySQL

Registration Code (btnRegister_Click):

protected void btnRegister_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    UserModel user = new UserModel
    {
        UserName = UserName.Text,
        Password = Password.Text,
        Email = Email.Text,
        Phone = Phone.Text
    };

    string connStr = ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["DefaultConnection"].ConnectionString;

    using (MySqlConnection conn = new MySqlConnection(connStr))
    {
        conn.Open();
        string query = "INSERT INTO users (username, password, email, phone) VALUES (@username, @password, @email, @phone)";
        using (MySqlCommand cmd = new MySqlCommand(query, conn))
        {
            cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("@username", user.UserName);
            cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("@password", user.Password);
            cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("@email", user.Email);
            cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("@phone", user.Phone);
            cmd.ExecuteNonQuery();
        }
    }
}

6. 📖 Reading Data from MySQL (Login)

protected void btnLogin_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    string username = LoginUserName.Text;
    string password = LoginPassword.Text;

    string connStr = ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["DefaultConnection"].ConnectionString;

    using (MySqlConnection conn = new MySqlConnection(connStr))
    {
        conn.Open();
        string query = "SELECT * FROM users WHERE username = @username AND password = @password";
        using (MySqlCommand cmd = new MySqlCommand(query, conn))
        {
            cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("@username", username);
            cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("@password", password);
            using (MySqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader())
            {
                if (reader.Read())
                {
                    Session["UserName"] = reader["username"].ToString();
                    Response.Redirect("~/Pages/Dashboard.aspx");
                }
                else
                {
                    ErrorMessage.Text = "Invalid credentials.";
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

7. ✅ Best Practices

• 🔒 Always hash and salt passwords (e.g., SHA256 or bcrypt)
• 🧹 Use using statements for proper disposal
• 📦 Separate DB logic into a DAL (Data Access Layer)
• 📋 Validate input both client-side and server-side
• 🛡️ Never store production credentials in plain text

8. 🔚 Conclusion

With this setup, you’ve learned how to:

• Install and connect to MySQL from .NET
• Perform INSERT and SELECT operations
• Follow security and structure best practices

Now you can build ASP.NET apps with the power and flexibility of MySQL!