ConnectionStringSettings NullReference Error - asp.net

Question

I have the following settings in my web.config, as a child of the configuration element:
<connectionStrings>
<clear />
<add name="GingerlimeDB"
connectionString="Data Source=localhost;
Integrated Security=False;
Initial Catalog=dbname;
User Id=accountname;
Password=password;"
providerName="System.Data.SqlClient" />
</connectionStrings>
In the code behind where I wish to retrieve the connection string, I placed:
using System.Configuration
...
var connStringObject = ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["GingerlimeDB"];
string connectionString = connStringObject.ConnectionString;
Console.WriteLine(connectionString);
I don't get to the console output, instead it shows:
Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
How do I get the Connection String out of the web config?

Answer 1

Assuming your web.config file looks like this:
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<configuration>
<connectionStrings>
<clear />
<add name="GingerlimeDB"
connectionString="Data Source=localhost;
Integrated Security=False;
Initial Catalog=dbname;
User Id=accountname;
Password=password;"
providerName="System.Data.SqlClient" />
</connectionStrings>
</configuration>
You should be able to access the connection string exactly like you showed in your code. I use something nearly identical:
using System.Configuration;
....
internal bool OpenDatabaseConnection()
{
try
{
string connectionString = ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["MyDatabase"].ConnectionString;
dbConnection = new SqlCeConnection(connectionString);
dbConnection.Open();
return true;
}
catch (SqlCeException ex)
{
this.errorLogging = new ErrorLogging(ex.Message, ex.Source, ex.HelpLink, ex.GetType().ToString());
}
catch (InvalidOperationException ex)
{
this.errorLogging = new ErrorLogging(ex.Message, ex.Source, ex.HelpLink, ex.GetType().ToString());
}
catch (ArgumentException ex)
{
this.errorLogging = new ErrorLogging(ex.Message, ex.Source, ex.HelpLink, ex.GetType().ToString());
}
catch (ConfigurationErrorsException ex)
{
this.errorLogging = new ErrorLogging(ex.Message, ex.Source, ex.HelpLink, ex.GetType().ToString());
}
return false;
}
Which line is actually causing the NullReference exception? (object not set to an instance of an object)?