Reading dll.config (not app.config!) from a plugin module

Question

I am writing a C# .NET 2.0 .dll that is a plug in to a Larger application. The visual studio project for my module has a app.config file which is copied to a MyProj.dll.config along side of MyProj.dll.

The plan is that MyProj.dll.config will be edited after the .dll is deployed. I am trying to read my settings from that modified local file. I have tried pulling out the LocalFilesSettingsObject and changing it's application name to my .dll like this:

        Properties.Settings config = Properties.Settings.Default;
        SettingsContext context = config.Context;
        SettingsPropertyCollection properties = config.Properties;
        SettingsProviderCollection providers = config.Providers;
        SettingsProvider configFile = Properties.Settings.Default.Providers["LocalFileSettingsProvider"];
        configFile.ApplicationName = Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly().GetName().Name;
        config.Initialize(context, properties, providers);
        config.Reload();

That is not working. I am struggling to wrap my head around the whole .NET Settings mess. I'd like a recipe to finish this task. I would also like a link to a clear explanation (with examples) of how settings are supposed to work in .NET 2.0

Answer 1

You will need to load the x.dll.config (with the Configuration API) yourself. All the automatic file handling (including the .Settings) is all about machine.config/y.exe.config/user-settings.

To open a named config file:

• Reference System.Configuration.dll assembly.
• Using System.Configuration

• Create code like:

  Configuration GetDllConfiguration(Assembly targetAsm) {
    var configFile = targetAsm.Location + ".config";
    var map = new ExeConfigurationFileMap {
      ExeConfigFilename = configFile
    };
    return ConfigurationManager.OpenMappedExeConfiguration(map, ConfigurationUserLevel.None);
  }