The first thing that you need to understand is that StrataFrame uses itself.  What I mean by this is that StrataFrame Connection, as you wanted to call it, is called the StrataFrame Data Store:

This is the name that we call our connection.  Any connection to a database or the connection wizard will be referred to, and is consistent within our posts and documentation, as a database connection.

The ApplicationKey is used as the unique identifiter that the database connection is stored under.  In your AppMain.vb or program.cs file, there is a shared property that gets set and is named the Application which is used when the SetConnections() method is called.  The framework looks in the externally stored connection table to see if there is an active database connection based on the ApplicationKey:

MicroFour.StrataFrame.Data.ConnectionManager.ApplicationKey = "MyApplicationKey"

To learn more read the documentation: Application -> WinForms -> Connection Strings

I am a beginner, so I imagine that this is not an issue for others who have worked with StrataFrame for any length of time. I am very confused around connection objects as they are used in StrataFrame, so I would like to suggest some terminology that might make things clearer for the rookies (and avoid confusion later).

There are at least two connection objects associated with working with StrataFrame (I think?):

1. The connection that is used to access the StrataFrame objects that are used in creating and maintaining the application. I think, but I'm not sure, that this is currently called a Database Connection, but may also be referred to as an Application Connection. It would be much more clear (to me) that calling this the StrataFrame Connection consistently would have made this much more clear. The connection should be referred to this way in all code, documentation, and in menu options.
2. The connection that will be used in the application that is being built. This will be the connection object that will be used to access the data repository for the application. This might be called the Application Connection.

Like I said, I'm new, but clearly distinguishing between the StrataFrame Connection and an Application Connection will help to reduce confusion for the newbies - and you want lots of newbies, since they represent sales.

Regards,

Flavelle