title: Accessing Constants Static Class That References App Settings Config File
body: <p>I have a class called LocalConstants....</p>
  
  <pre><code> public static class LocalConstants {
      public static string DM_PATH = ConfigurationManager.AppSettings["DMQueue"];
      public static string PROJECT_PATH = ConfigurationManager.AppSettings["MSQueue"];
   }
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>When trying to access this class in my main program I am getting a null reference exception. Anything from ConfigurationManager.AppSettings[ is always null. But if I write</p>
  
  <pre><code>  //The value is returned fine 
    string bo=ConfigurationManager.AppSettings["MSQueue"];
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>this compiles fine but is always null and throws a NullRefexception</p>
  
  <pre><code>   string moomoo = LocalConstants.PROJECT_PATH;
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>The exception is
  The type initializer for 'TestCodeOutOnSide.LocalConstants' threw an exception.</p>
  
  <p>The innerException is the basic
  Object reference not set to an instance of an object.</p>
  
  <p>Even if I change the PROJECT_PATH to </p>
  
  <pre><code>public static readonly string PROJECT_PATH = @"FORMATNAME:DIRECT=OS:serus-nickl\RMQDEV";
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I get the same exception</p>
  
  <p>Any ideas?</p>