How to access a database file with non mdf extension

Question

Can we access a database file with non- .MDF extension using C#?

We are creating a setup project. We don't want the user to know the database details which is installed in the installation folder. So, I have tried renaming the database data file and log file with a random name without any extension.

When I have tried accessing the file from c# we are getting an error like:

An attempt to attach an auto-named database to file D:\\SQLExpress\\DB\\abc123tmp failed. A database of the same name exists, or specified file cannot be opened, or it is located at UNC share.

Can anyone help me solve the issue?

Answer 1

Start SSMS, connect to (localDb)\\MSSQLLOCALDB and look at the Databases attached ... I guess the File you want to attach is already attached under a different name. Detach that instance first and then your Connection should work. It's not possible to attach the same File using different Database names. The File Extension does not matter.