Azure Database for PostgreSQL is a fully managed enterprise-grade PostgreSQL service that ensures advanced performance, security, and scalability for your applications. Whether you're building REST APIs, microservices, or data-heavy apps, PostgreSQL on Azure is a solid choice.
This guide will explain how to connect .NET applications to Azure Database for PostgreSQL and perform essential database operations, such as reading, inserting, updating, and deleting data, using C#.
Fully supports EF Core, Dapper, NHibernate, LinqConnect, and other modern data access technologies for efficient and reliable data management.
Conforms to the latest ADO.NET standards and recent industry innovations for seamless and consistent integration with .NET applications.
Includes many PostgreSQL-specific features and fully supports all unique data types for accurate and complete data representation.
Provides robust security with support for SSL/SSH connections, connecting via proxy servers, embedded servers, and HTTP tunneling.
Features native integration with Visual Studio and complete design-time support for accelerated development.
Includes priority support, detailed documentation, and regular updates for continuous improvement.
You can start using dotConnect for PostgreSQL immediately with a 30-day free trial. Choose one of the following installation options:
Let us connect to PostgreSQL in Azure with the help of the built-in Data Explorer. Click Tools, then select Connect to Database, and choose PostgreSQL as the data source.
Enter your server details and credentials. Click Connect.
Once connected, you can browse tables, execute queries, and manage data directly within the Data Explorer.
Let us establish a connection with the Azure Database for PostgreSQL and then run a simple SELECT query to pull records from the Actor table. It confirms the connection is working correctly and the data is accessible.
The DatabaseConnection.cs class keeps connection details separate for better maintainability.
using Devart.Data.PostgreSql;
public static class DatabaseConnection
{
public static PgSqlConnection CreateConnection()
{
string connectionString = "" +
"Host=test.postgres.database.azure.com;" +
"User Id=TestUser;" +
"Password=TestPassword;" +
"Port=5432;" +
"Database=postgres;" +
"Schema=public;" +
"License key=**********";
return new PgSqlConnection(connectionString);
}
}| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Host or Server | Host name or IP address of the PostgreSQL server |
| User Id | User ID used to authenticate with PostgreSQL |
| Password | Password for the user ID |
| Port | Port on which the PostgreSQL server listens |
| Database | Default database to use after connecting |
| Schema | PostgreSQL schema to use |
| License key | Your license key (only required when you use .NET Standard-compatible assemblies) |
Replace the placeholders in the connection string with your actual PostgreSQL database credentials. If you own a paid license of dotConnect for PostgreSQL, include the license key in the connection strings.
Add the code below to your Program.cs file.
using System;
using Devart.Data.PostgreSql;
class Program
{
static void Main(string[] args)
{
try
{
using (PgSqlConnection connection = DatabaseConnection.CreateConnection())
{
connection.Open();
Console.WriteLine("Connection successful!\n");
string sql = "SELECT actor_id, first_name, last_name FROM actor ORDER BY actor_id LIMIT 10";
using (PgSqlCommand command = new PgSqlCommand(sql, connection))
using (PgSqlDataReader reader = command.ExecuteReader())
{
Console.WriteLine("actor_id | first_name | last_name");
while (reader.Read())
{
int actorId = reader.GetInt32(0);
string firstName = reader.GetString(1);
string lastName = reader.GetString(2);
Console.WriteLine($"{actorId} | {firstName} | {lastName}");
}
}
}
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
Console.WriteLine("An error occurred: " + ex.Message);
}
}
}Build and run your application: select Start from the menu or click F5. It displays the data retrieved from the database.
Let's add a new row to the Actor table by executing an INSERT command. Use the below code.
using System;
using Devart.Data.PostgreSql;
class Program
{
static void Main(string[] args)
{
try
{
using (PgSqlConnection connection = DatabaseConnection.CreateConnection())
{
connection.Open();
Console.WriteLine("Connection successful!\n");
// Insert a new actor
string insertSql = "INSERT INTO actor (first_name, last_name, last_update) VALUES (@first, @last, NOW()) RETURNING actor_id, first_name, last_name";
using (PgSqlCommand insertCmd = new PgSqlCommand(insertSql, connection))
{
insertCmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("@first", "Emily");
insertCmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("@last", "Johnson");
using (PgSqlDataReader reader = insertCmd.ExecuteReader())
{
if (reader.Read())
{
int actorId = reader.GetInt32(0);
string firstName = reader.GetString(1);
string lastName = reader.GetString(2);
Console.WriteLine("New actor added:");
Console.WriteLine($"actor_id | first_name | last_name");
Console.WriteLine($"{actorId} | {firstName} | {lastName}");
}
else
{
Console.WriteLine("No actor was inserted.");
}
}
}
}
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
Console.WriteLine("An error occurred: " + ex.Message);
}
}
}See the results in the application:
Next, we want to update an existing record by changing the actor's first and last name. The following code shows how to build and run an UPDATE command from the application to modify data already stored in the database.
using System;
using Devart.Data.PostgreSql;
class Program
{
static void Main(string[] args)
{
try
{
using (PgSqlConnection connection = DatabaseConnection.CreateConnection())
{
connection.Open();
Console.WriteLine("Connection successful!\n");
string updateSql = "UPDATE actor SET first_name = @first, last_name = @last, last_update = NOW() WHERE actor_id = @id";
using (PgSqlCommand updateCmd = new PgSqlCommand(updateSql, connection))
{
updateCmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("@first", "David");
updateCmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("@last", "Miller");
updateCmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("@id", 201);
int rowsAffected = updateCmd.ExecuteNonQuery();
if (rowsAffected > 0)
{
string selectSql = "SELECT actor_id, first_name, last_name FROM actor WHERE actor_id = @id";
using (PgSqlCommand selectCmd = new PgSqlCommand(selectSql, connection))
{
selectCmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("@id", 201);
using (PgSqlDataReader reader = selectCmd.ExecuteReader())
{
if (reader.Read())
{
int actorId = reader.GetInt32(0);
string firstName = reader.GetString(1);
string lastName = reader.GetString(2);
Console.WriteLine("Updated actor:");
Console.WriteLine("actor_id | first_name | last_name");
Console.WriteLine($"{actorId} | {firstName} | {lastName}");
}
else
{
Console.WriteLine("Actor not found after update.");
}
}
}
}
else
{
Console.WriteLine("No actor found with actor_id: 201");
}
}
}
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
Console.WriteLine("An error occurred: " + ex.Message);
}
}
}Our application displays the results:
Finally, let us see how to delete the record. We are going to remove the actor we have just added to the database using the DELETE command with a condition.
using System;
using Devart.Data.PostgreSql;
class Program
{
static void Main(string[] args)
{
try
{
using (PgSqlConnection connection = DatabaseConnection.CreateConnection())
{
connection.Open();
Console.WriteLine("Connection successful!\n");
string deleteSql = "DELETE FROM actor WHERE actor_id = @id";
using (PgSqlCommand deleteCmd = new PgSqlCommand(deleteSql, connection))
{
deleteCmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("@id", 201);
int rowsAffected = deleteCmd.ExecuteNonQuery();
if (rowsAffected > 0)
{
Console.WriteLine("Deleted actor with actor_id: 201");
}
else
{
Console.WriteLine("No actor found with actor_id: 201");
}
}
}
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
Console.WriteLine("An error occurred: " + ex.Message);
}
}
}The output in the application proves that the operation was successful.
This tutorial covers the essentials of connecting to and working with databases hosted in Azure Database for PostgreSQL from a .NET application. You can connect, query, insert, update, and delete records.
With these fundamentals in place, you can advance to more complex techniques and build richer, data-driven applications that take full advantage of PostgreSQL's power and flexibility in the cloud. Using dotConnect for PostgreSQL ensures a smooth, secure, and efficient connection experience during the development process.
I'm a technical content writer who loves turning complex topics — think SQL, connectors, and backend chaos–into content that actually makes sense (and maybe even makes you smile). I write for devs, data folks, and curious minds who want less fluff and more clarity. When I'm not wrangling words, you'll find me dancing salsa, or hopping between cities.
