ADO.NET Cookbook

5.11. Exporting the Results of a Query as a String

Problem

You need to export the results of a query to a string in a manner similar to the GetString( ) method of the ADO Recordset.

Solution

Write a routine to mimic the functionality of the ADO Recordset’s GetString( ) method.

The sample code contains an event handler and a method:

Go Button.Click

Sets up the sample by creating a DataTable containing the Orders table from Northwind. The GetString( ) method in this solution is called to convert the DataTable into a string similar to one that is generated by the GetString( ) method of the ADO Recordset. The string is displayed in a text box on the form.

GetString( )

This method mimics the functionality of the GetString( ) method of the ADO Recordset. The method iterates over the collection of rows and columns in the table appending the field values to a string. Null values are replaced as specified and column and row delimiters are applied.

The C# code is shown in Example 5-13.

Example 5-13. File: AdoGetStringForm.cs

// Namespaces, variables, and constants using System; using System.Configuration; using System.Text; using System.Data; using System.Data.SqlClient; // Table name constants private const String ORDERS_TABLE = "Orders"; // . . . private void goButton_Click(object sender, System.EventArgs e) { // Fill the Order table. SqlDataAdapter da = new SqlDataAdapter("SELECT * FROM Orders", ConfigurationSettings.AppSettings["Sql_ConnectString"]); DataTable dt = new DataTable(ORDERS_TABLE); ...