Essential ADO.NET

7.7. SQL Server, XML, and Managed Data Access

SQL Server 2000 and the ensuing Web-released extensions, called SQLXML, have many kinds of support for XML. This topic could take an entire book by itself. Almost all the support is available through ADO.NET. First, let's enumerate them and then go over how each one is supported in ADO.NET.

7.7.1. The FOR XML Keyword

SQL Server added a FOR XML keyword to the SQL SELECT statement. This keyword can produce XML in four formats: RAW, AUTO, NESTED, and EXPLICIT. The AUTO, NESTED, and EXPLICIT formats can produce hierarchical nested XML output and attribute-normal or element-normal form. Listing 7-37 shows examples of using SELECT ... FOR XML and the results obtained.

Listing 7-37. Using SQL Server's FOR ...