Why is mdf file not appearing in the App_Data folder?
asp.net-mvc-4, c#, visual-studio-2010
Solution
Just change your connection string:
<add name="DefaultConnection" connectionString="Data Source=.\SQLEXPRESS;AttachDbFilename=|DataDirectory|\aspnet-HaveYouSeenMe-20131125091100.mdf;Integrated Security=True;User Instance=True" providerName="System.Data.SqlClient"/>
The `|DataDirectory|` is a special token which is pointing to the `~/App_Data` folder of your application.
Checkout the `following article on MSDN` which provides more details about connection strings in SQLExpress.
Problem
I've being trying to get started with Beginning ASP.NET MVC 4. And hit a problem straight away, according to the e-book I should be able to start a new mvc 4 internet application, debug and select log-in form the UI tempate, then stop. This should create the mdf file in the App_Data folder. Which I should be able to click on and open in Server Explorer. What actually happens - Database get created in my SQL Express. Getting this step correct is crucial to following the rest of the tutorial. I am familiar with MVC , but mainly the front end stuff, so I'm trying to increase my understanding of the database/models side of MVC. This is a completely new project, no changes were made, just out of the box code. On a windows XP machine, using Visual Studio 2010. Connectionstring - ``` <add name="DefaultConnection" connectionString="Data Source=.\SQLEXPRESS;Initial Catalog=aspnet-HaveYouSeenMe-20131125091100;Integrated Security=SSPI" providerName="System.Data.SqlClient" /> ``` Can anyone please explain - why my out of the box connectionstring is creating the Db in SQL Express and how to create the mdf in the App_Data folder as book suggests. cheers.