Errata

In the downloadable sample code for Chapter 7, in the C# version of the "Serialization" form's code, there is a bug near the end of the "ActGenerate_Click" event handler. In that routine, three lines from the bottom, is a line that sets the charArray variable to a new character array. The "- 1" at the end of this line should be removed. The line should read:

charArray = new Char[decoder.GetCharCount(holdBuffer.ToArray())];

The CustomerAccounts_RowChanging event handler correctly sets the row error when the user enters an active account with a null date, however in the provided sample code the error state of the added row is never examined.

In AccountManager.cs function ActAdd_Click:

CustomerAccounts.Rows.Add(editRecord);
//The row level error isn't set until now, CustomerAccounts.HasErrors is now true but never checked.

CustomerAccounts.AcceptChanges();
addComplete = true;

Note from the Author or Editor:
The reader is correct. In order to demonstrate specific concepts in sample code as clearly as possible, many of the samples lack rigorous error handling logic. However, because this chapter deals specifically with data validation, more error management code of the type indicated by the reader should be included.

The example code does not open if the user's PC is not using American culture - the data for the app provides dates like "7/23/1819" which in most of the world is not a valid date.
In the supplied code, Aggregate.cs, line 224 should be:
if (lineFields[3].Length > 0) oneRow["Statehood"] = DateTime.Parse(lineFields[3], new CultureInfo("en-US"));

Note from the Author or Editor:
The reader is correct. Another solution is to modify the sample data so that it contains location-agnostic date content.

Using SQLServer 2008 (non-Express) as the database, the line:

ActiveStateID = (long)(int)stateReader["ID"];

gives and Invalid Cast exception during runtime after adding a record.

Removing the (int) and just having (long)stateReader["ID"] fixes the problem.

Note from the Author or Editor:
This is a typo in the C# version of the program. The reader is correct that "(int)" should be removed so that only "(long)" remains. The correction should be made in the "Completed Example" for Chapter 9 in the downloadable code. The Visual Basic of the code is already correct.

I was unable to get the distributed transaction to work.

I think a @ToAccount reference should be changed to a @FromAccount reference in:

// ----- Prepare and perform the withdrawal.
sqlText = @"UPDATE bankAccount SET Balance = Balance - @ToTransfer WHERE AccountNumber = @FromAccount";
withdrawal = new SqlCommand(sqlText, linkToDB, envelope);
withdrawal.Parameters.AddWithValue("@ToTransfer", toTransfer);
if (OptFromChecking.Checked)
withdrawal.Parameters.AddWithValue("@FromAccount", CheckingAccountID);
else
withdrawal.Parameters.AddWithValue("@FromAccount", SavingsAccountID);

That solved the error but the money still did not transfer.

Of course, this could be a typo on my part but I feel it is worth investigating.

Thanks,
Bob Reding

Note from the Author or Editor:
The book is correct, but the sample code for Chapter 12 is in error. In the C# sample code for Chapter 12, the AccountTransfer.cs file, the TransferDistributed() routine, change the following line:

withdrawal.Parameters.AddWithValue("@ToAccount", CheckingAccountID);

to this code instead:

withdrawal.Parameters.AddWithValue("@FromAccount", SavingsAccountID);

The Visual Basic version of the sample application is already correct. An updated copy of the sample code will be placed on the book's web site. If you are using the updated version, you will not need to make this change.