.NET Patterns: Architecture, Design, and Process

Schema Field Pattern

Intent

To be able to store, retrieve, and manipulate data schemas dynamically. The means for passing descriptive metadata in an abstracted N-tier architecture.

Problem

Data schemas can be one of the most effective means by which data can be manipulated, stored, passed, or retrieved. They provide the structure and the backbone to what would otherwise be just another data abstraction layer manifested in ADO.NET. But what is the best way to create a schema? Once created, where does the schema go? How do you determine what schema to use? Where are the schemas kept, if anywhere? These are some of the questions I hope to answer in this chapter. However, the .NET framework has given you many means by which to manipulate schemas ...