How to connect to MySQL Database using VB.NET

In our company, our standard database platform is MS SQL Server. As VB.NET programmers, we all know how easy to connect to MS SQL Server through the use of System.Data.Sql namespace as part of .NET platform. But on our latest gate automation project, we are partnered with a 3rd party vendor where MySQL is their standard database platform of choice. Given the situation, we need to make our VB applications MySQL database friendly. For today's article, I will show you that it is as easy to connect to MySQL Database.


There are two method to connect to MySQL.
1. By using System.Data.OleDb Namespace
2. By using MySQL Connector for .NET

On this article, I will use the MySQL Connector for .NET. To begin our sample project, follow these step-by-step procedures.

1. Download and Install the latest MySQL Connector for .NET
2. Create your VB.NET project then add a reference to MySQL.Data by going to Project > Add Reference > .NET Tab.
3. On your imports directive, add the following namespaces

Imports System
Imports System.Data
Imports MySql.Data.MySqlClient

4. Now to connect MySQL database, copy and paste these codes.

 Dim connString As String = "Database=TestData;Data Source=localhost;User Id=root;Password=mypassword"

      Dim con As New MySqlConnection()

      Try
 con.ConnectionString = "Database=TestData;Data Source=localhost;User Id=root;Password=mypassword"
         conn.Open()
         Console.WriteLine("Connection Opened")

      Catch ex As MySqlException
         Console.WriteLine("Error: " & ex.ToString())
      Finally
         conn.Close()
         Console.WriteLine("Connection Closed")
      End Try

If you noticed, connecting to MySQL is similar to how you connect to a MS SQL Server database.

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