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What Is a Connection String?

A connection string is a formatted string that bundles the details a client needs to reach a database, including the server address, port, database name, authentication, and options. Applications read it at startup to open connections. Because it often carries credentials, it is treated as a secret rather than committed to source control.

Why it matters

A single misformatted or stale connection string is a common cause of startup failures and connection errors. Storing it in a secret manager keeps credentials out of code and easy to rotate.

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