MySQL Bugs: #69307: Connector/Net no longer integrates with Visual Studio 2005

Bug #69307	Connector/Net no longer integrates with Visual Studio 2005
Submitted:	23 May 2013 1:35	Modified:	7 Jun 2013 15:47
Reporter:	Andrew McWhirter	Email Updates:
Status:	Not a Bug	Impact on me:	None
Category:	Connector / NET	Severity:	S3 (Non-critical)
Version:	6.5.6	OS:	Windows (Windows 7 Pro)
Assigned to:		CPU Architecture:	Any

Description:
First up, I'm not sure this is a bug but I could't find any other reports or documentation on the subject. This is not really critical given the age of the Visual Studio software, but it would have saved some time if it were published!

When installing the 6.5.6 version of Connector/Net, I noticed that when you select "Custom" mode, Visual Studio 2005 is not listed under the "Visual Studio Integration" node. When I install 6.4.6 version, it *does* detect (and integrate correctly) with VS2005.

After installing, I cannot configure a Data Connection to MySQL in the server explorer window within Visual Studio - "MySQL Database" does not appear in the list of available data sources. Using 6.4.6, "MySQL Database" *does* appear in the list.

Version 6.6.5 also displays the same symptoms as 6.5.6.

Note that in the case of 6.6.5 at least, I can open connections to my database in code - in other words, the actual MySql.data.dll (.Net 2.0 assembly) included in the package seems to be fine.

How to repeat:
PC with VS 2005 Professional installed, logged in as local administrator.
I also have the Express edition of VS2012 also installed (and understand that the integration won't apply there.)

- Start installing 6.4.6 Connector/Net.
- Select custom installation.
- Note that there is a leaf node under "Visual Studio Integration", showing "Visual Studio 2005"
If the installation is completed from this point, there is a step in the installation which shows "Reconfiguring Visual Studio 2005...", and after installation "MySQL Database" is available in the list of Data Sources when adding a new Data Connection in the Server Explorer window within VS2005.

- Un-install the Connector/Net v 6.4.6 package.
- Start the installation of Connector/Net v 6.5.6 (or 6.6.5)
- Select custom installation
- Note that there are no leaf nodes listed under "Visual Studio Integration".
If the installation is completed from this point, I did NOT notice a step in the installation referring to reconfiguration of Visual Studio 2005, and after installation "MySQL Database" is NOT available in the list of Data Sources when adding a new Data Connection in the Server Explorer window within VS2005.

Suggested fix:
In order of preference:
- fix if possible
- supply a workaround so that later versions of the connector can be used and retain the integration with VS2005.
- document the restriction

Hi,

We dropped support for VS2005 (we opened a poll in forums if there were concerns and nobody asked, see http://forums.mysql.com/read.php?38,578796,578796#msg-578796).

Now, we currently support VS2008/VS2010/VS2012, some of these IDEs can even compile .NET 2.0 targetted apps, so the question is how important is for you to keep using VS2005? isn't VS2008/VS2010/VS2012 a viable option for you?

Thanks.

Thanks for the reply.
I do agree that VS2005 is quite old and it's quite reasonable that current connectors don't support it fully.
I guess documenting the last supported version more obviously would be the most appropriate course of action.  I never thought to look in the forums for a poll on the subject!
Specifically, I think a note should be added to the online documentation page
http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.7/en/connector-net.html
to clarify the statement:
"MySQL Connector/Net supports full versions of Visual Studio 2005, 2008, and 2010" (maybe add VS2012 to the list?)
Also I think that the dropping of support for VS2005 should be noted in the release notes for 6.5 (or whatever version the integration was removed):
http://dev.mysql.com/doc/relnotes/connector-net/en/connector-net-news-6-5.html

Thanks again!
Andrew

Hi, this has been updated, see http://dev.mysql.com/doc/connector-net/en/connector-net-visual-studio.html

the text:
"Visual Studio 2005 is supported only through MySQL Connector/Net 6.4."