title: Oracle Connection in C# - connection string
body: <p>I'm currently trying to build an application in C# and connecting it to a live db running in Oracle 11g. 
  I have the following connection details </p>
  
  <pre><code>Host IP: 10.204.1.3 
  Port: 1521
  DB Name: PROD
  </code></pre>
  
  <hr>
  
  <p>My source code</p>
  
  <pre><code>string connString = "DATA SOURCE=10.204.1.3:1521/PROD;PERSIST SECURITY" +
  "INFO=True;USER ID=username; PASSWORD=userpass";
  OracleConnection conn = new OracleConnection(connString);
  conn.Open();
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I was able to add a connection in Server Explorer with the Connection String used by VS but is having the error below in conn.Open();</p>
  
  <pre><code>An unhandled exception of type 'System.NullReferenceException' occurred in 
  Oracle.DataAccess.dll
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Sorry if this is a basic question, I'm new in VS, and Oracle and can't find the solution in the other part of the web. Thanks in advance. </p>