App.config for classlibrary project

rohit pol

Hi Experts,

Can I add 'App.config' for ClassLibrary type of project? Is that allowed? I have added it for my ClassLibrary project and it is returning me null values. I read somewhere that 'App.config' is only for ConsoleAplication and not for ClassLibrary project. Is that true? If true, what is alternative here, where should I give configuration setting of ClassLibrary project.

Thanks and Regards,
Rohit Pol

3 Replies

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Sujeet Singh8y ago
You generally should not add an app.config file to a class library project; it won't be used without some painful bending and twisting on your part. It doesn't hurt the library project at all - it just won't do anything at all.

Instead, you configure the application which is using your library; so the configuration information required would go there. Each application that might use your library likely will have different requirements, so this actually makes logical sense, too.
Sam Hobbs14y ago
You do not need to do anything with an app.config file directly. You can but you should first understand what Microsoft has done for us to make things easier. If you can use the app.config file using the tools that VS and .Net provide then it will be easier. It is true that a class libary project does not have a settings file created when the project is created; a console project does not either. The easiest way to create a settings file for both types of projects is to go to the project's properties and then click on the Settings tab. First note that Microsoft tends to make things confusing; when I say Properties, I do not mean the Properties node in the Solution Explorer; what I mean is what we get when we right-click on the project in the Solution Explorer and then select Properties. In the Settings tab, you will see a link that says there are not settings for the project and offers the opportunity to create settings. Click on it and you have settings. Then in code, you just use Properties.Settings.Default.SomeSetting to get the value of SomeSetting.
Vulpes14y ago
As far as I'm aware you can add an App.config file to any type of project including a class library.

Just go to the Project Menu, click Add New Item, select Application Configuration File and click the Add button.

An App.config file should then appear in Solution Explorer.