Pick Connection String from App.Config at run time and use throughout application

[jeffshex]

I'm wondering what the best way to do this would be:
I am trying some stuff out and have a server with 2 databases on it, Live and Test. Basically I want to pick a connection on the first form that gets used throughout the program until it is closed. Everytime you run the program, you have to pick one.
I have two connection string settings in my app.config for each of those databases.
On the startup form I can pull the connection strings from the configuration manager and display them in a combobox. After that, I can click a button and get the connection string from the manager.

My question then arises: Where and how would I store that connection string that I can pull on the startup form? Would I store it in the application properties somewhere or assign it to somewhere global?

I'm still pretty new to coding in this but just need some direction here.
Thanks!

 

[Andrzejek]

One way to do it would be:
In Solution Explorer, double click My Project and go to Settings. In Name type: MyTest, Type: Connection String, Scope: Application, Value - set it to connect to your test.
Do the same again and call it MyLive (connect to your Live DB).

On the first form, I put 2 radio buttons, Connect button, and Exit button. I also have a Module where my connection (and Exit) is placed.

(I connect to Oracle, but the logic is the same if you connect to anything)

Public Class Form1

    Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, _
                           ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
        radText.Checked = True
    End Sub

    Private Sub cmdConnect_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, _
                              ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles cmdConnect.Click

        Select Case True
            Case radText.Checked
                MyConnection = My.Settings.MyTest
            Case radlive.Checked
                MyConnection = My.Settings.MyLive
        End Select

        Call OpenConnection()

    End Sub

    Private Sub cmdExit_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, _
                             ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles cmdExit.Click
        Call ExitAll()
    End Sub
End Class

Imports Oracle.DataAccess.Client

Module Module1
    Public MyConnection As String = ""
    Friend Cn As OracleConnection

    Public Sub OpenConnection()
        Cn = New OracleConnection(MyConnection)
        Cn.Open()
    End Sub

    Sub ExitAll()
        If Cn.State = ConnectionState.Open Then
            Cn.Close()
        End If
        Application.Exit()
    End Sub
End Module

Have fun.

---- Andy