Visual Studio
does not support Mysql after installation by default. This default behavior
prevents anyone from using a MySql schema to be mapped with the entity data
Framework. Visual Studio will not even recognize Mysql Servers as a data source
as seen in the picture below unless a configuration is done. First we need the
MySql plugin for Visual studio and the .Net connector
Preparation
Here are
links to the Mysql .net Connector and the Mysql Visual Studio Plug in. Both of
these are needed to generate Entity framework with Visual Studio. Just download
those files and intsall them
Installing the connector
Run the file
to start the installation process and click Next.
Choose the
typical and install
After the
files are installed, click finish and move on to the plug in
The Plug In
Now for the
plug-in the process is the same. Run the installation file downloaded earlier
then click ‘Next’
Click typical
and click Install when the button appears
The files
will be installed and there the plugin and connector are now installed.
Configuration Steps
Add this
under the provider element in App/Web.config then close the file.
Just Add the references
as seen below and rebuild the solution.
Now try mapping from Mysql
Add a new
item to the project
Now Select
the Data category and choose the Entity Data Model. Afterwards name the data
model before pressing ‘Add’
Choose the
‘Generate From Database’ option and click ‘Next’
Now Press the
New Connection button if the Connection needed is still not made.
You should
see the MySQL database option available. Select it and continue.
Now modify
the Connection properties, make sure valid properties are entered. Make sure to
test for a successful connection before pressing ‘OK’.
The
connection string should be generated. Press ‘Next’
Wait for the
data retrieval to complete. Select the items to be added to the solution and
press ‘Finish’
Press ‘OK’
for the prompts that may appear.
There, a
successful data mapping of a MySQL database in .Net using Visual Studio 2013.
