Hello,
I was wondering what the best practice way to make database connections in an InfoPath form is. I have previously worked with InfoPath 2007 and when I needed to connect to my database in these forms, I retrieved the database connection string from my web.config file (as the instructions mentioned here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555963 ). I have yet to try my old InfoPath 2007 way of doing things in 2010 just in case it is not the best way to go about things, I thought I’d ask first.
I started a new InfoPath 2010 form recently that needs to connect to my SQL DB. I thought I’d try using the DataConnection tool under the Data tab. I’ve managed to get this to work but I’m not sure if I’m using the DataConnection in the wrong way or if it is the best solution or even if I fully understand what I’m doing this way.
I was getting the message “InfoPath stores password info in plain text file…” which started to worry me. I want to make sure that no users that access my form can somehow read the connection string out of my InfoPath form. When I published it to SharePoint, I had to make a change in the central admin site so that I could get the form to work. I needed to check the Allow Embedded SQL authentication checkbox under Configure InfoPath Forms Services so that my form would display, which further worries me.
I looked through the forum (so please forgive me if I missed the post where this was answered) and came across this post http://www.infopathdev.com/forums/p/8167/29678.aspx#29678 (Avoid hardcoding of the Connection string in the code associated with InfoPath form template while making a data connection) which seemed very interesting except that there was no answer as how to integrate this solution with a Browser based form. Is there a way to use this solution with a browser based form and is it secure?
I’ve also read that I can access database connection settings if I make a data connection library. I have never done this but if this is the way you’re supposed to do it, well, that’s that I guess.
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you,
Marisol