Ora 12154 error when trying to add a database to VS Server Explorer

Question

Hi Everyone,
I get the Ora 12154 error when trying to add a database to VS Server Explorer.
How do I get around this problem.
The database service is running and I can connect to the database with pl/sql.
I can also tnsping the database and that is also ok.
Looks like a problem with the odp.net software.
I am running the 32 bit Oracle 11g on a Windows7 Home Premium 64 bit PC.
I am new to this stuff so please help me step by step.
Thanks.
Emad

Answer 1

Hi J. B.
I have a question related to this. After you told me about the //host:1521/database alias I tried it in a VB 2008 program and it worked and returned data. At least I know that it can be used in a VB program without issues. I just now need to be able to add a connection with the Server Explorer.
Anyway here is the VB coding I used. I'm new to this and still learning:
Imports Oracle.DataAccess.Client ' Visual Basic ODP.NET Oracle managed provider
Public Class Form1
' String to connect to the database.
Dim strConnectionString As String = _
"Data Source=//emad-pc:1521/emadeva;User ID=scott;Password=tiger;" '
' Associate the connection string with a connection object.
Dim objOracleConnection As New OracleConnection(strConnectionString)
' SQL query for returning data rows.
Dim strSqlQuery As String = _
"Select dname, deptno " & _
"From dept " & _
"Where deptno = 10" '
' Command object to make this query work.
Dim objOracleCommand As New OracleCommand(strSqlQuery, objOracleConnection)
Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
' Identify what type of command is being used.
objOracleCommand.CommandType = CommandType.Text
Try
objOracleConnection.Open()
' Set up a Data Reader and load it with data.
Dim objOracleDataReader As OracleDataReader = _
objOracleCommand.ExecuteReader()
objOracleDataReader.Read()
' Convert the department number to a string.
lblDepartmentNumberFromOracle.Text = _
CStr(objOracleDataReader.Item("deptno"))
Catch ex As Exception
MessageBox.Show(ex.Message, "Error")
End Try
End Sub
End Class
I still want to thank you for the help you are providing.
Truly,
Emad