Retrieving Data Using a DataReader (ADO.NET)

Retrieving Data Using a DataReader

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.NET Framework Developer's Guide

Retrieving Data Using a DataReader (ADO.NET)

Updated: November 2007

Retrieving data using a DataReader involves creating an instance of the Command object and then creating a DataReader by calling Command.ExecuteReader to retrieve rows from a data source. The following example illustrates using a DataReader where reader represents a valid DataReader and command represents a valid Command object.

reader = command.ExecuteReader();

You use the Read method of the DataReader object to obtain a row from the results of the query. You can access each column of the returned row by passing the name or ordinal reference of the column to the DataReader. However, for best performance, the DataReader provides a series of methods that allow you to access column values in their native data types (GetDateTime, GetDouble, GetGuid, GetInt32, and so on). For a list of typed accessor methods for data provider-specific DataReaders, see OleDbDataReader and SqlDataReader. Using the typed accessor methods, assuming the underlying data type is known, reduces the amount of type conversion required when retrieving the column value.

Note:
The Windows Server 2003 release of the .NET Framework includes an additional property for the DataReader, HasRows, which enables you to determine if the DataReader has returned any results before reading from it.

The following code example iterates through a DataReader object, and returns two columns from each row.

Visual Basic

Private Sub HasRows(ByVal connection As SqlConnection)
    Using connection
        Dim command As SqlCommand = New SqlCommand( _
          "SELECT CategoryID, CategoryName FROM Categories;", _
          connection)
        connection.Open()

        Dim reader As SqlDataReader = command.ExecuteReader()

        If reader.HasRows Then
            Do While reader.Read()
                Console.WriteLine(reader.GetInt32(0) _
                  & vbTab & reader.GetString(1))
            Loop
        Else
            Console.WriteLine("No rows found.")
        End If

        reader.Close()
    End Using
End Sub

static void HasRows(SqlConnection connection)
{
    using (connection)
    {
        SqlCommand command = new SqlCommand(
          "SELECT CategoryID, CategoryName FROM Categories;",
          connection);
        connection.Open();

        SqlDataReader reader = command.ExecuteReader();

        if (reader.HasRows)
        {
            while (reader.Read())
            {
                Console.WriteLine("{0}\t{1}", reader.GetInt32(0),
                    reader.GetString(1));
            }
        }
        else
        {
            Console.WriteLine("No rows found.");
        }
        reader.Close();
    }
}

The DataReader provides an unbuffered stream of data that allows procedural logic to efficiently process results from a data source sequentially. The DataReader is a good choice when retrieving large amounts of data because the data is not cached in memory.

Closing the DataReader

You should always call the Close method when you have finished using the DataReader object.

If your Command contains output parameters or return values, they will not be available until the DataReader is closed.

Note that while a DataReader is open, the Connection is in use exclusively by that DataReader. You cannot execute any commands for the Connection, including creating another DataReader, until the original DataReader is closed.

Note:
Do not call Close or Dispose on a Connection, a DataReader, or any other managed object in the Finalize method of your class. In a finalizer, only release unmanaged resources that your class owns directly. If your class does not own any unmanaged resources, do not include a Finalize method in your class definition. For more information, see Garbage Collection.

Retrieving Multiple Result Sets using NextResult

If multiple result sets are returned, the DataReader provides the NextResult method to iterate through the result sets in order. The following example shows the SqlDataReader processing the results of two SELECT statements using the ExecuteReader method.

Visual Basic

Private Sub RetrieveMultipleResults(ByVal connection As SqlConnection)
    Using connection
        Dim command As SqlCommand = New SqlCommand( _
          "SELECT CategoryID, CategoryName FROM Categories;" & _
          "SELECT EmployeeID, LastName FROM Employees", connection)
        connection.Open()

        Dim reader As SqlDataReader = command.ExecuteReader()

        Do While reader.HasRows
            Console.WriteLine(vbTab & reader.GetName(0) _
              & vbTab & reader.GetName(1))

            Do While reader.Read()
                Console.WriteLine(vbTab & reader.GetInt32(0) _
                  & vbTab & reader.GetString(1))
            Loop

            reader.NextResult()
        Loop
    End Using
End Sub

static void RetrieveMultipleResults(SqlConnection connection)
{
    using (connection)
    {
        SqlCommand command = new SqlCommand(
          "SELECT CategoryID, CategoryName FROM dbo.Categories;" +
          "SELECT EmployeeID, LastName FROM dbo.Employees",
          connection);
        connection.Open();

        SqlDataReader reader = command.ExecuteReader();

        while (reader.HasRows)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("\t{0}\t{1}", reader.GetName(0),
                reader.GetName(1));

            while (reader.Read())
            {
                Console.WriteLine("\t{0}\t{1}", reader.GetInt32(0),
                    reader.GetString(1));
            }
            reader.NextResult();
        }
    }
}

Getting Schema Information from the DataReader

While a DataReader is open, you can retrieve schema information about the current result set using the GetSchemaTable method. GetSchemaTable returns a DataTable object populated with rows and columns that contain the schema information for the current result set. The DataTable contains one row for each column of the result set. Each column of the schema table row maps to a property of the column returned in the result set, where the ColumnName is the name of the property and the value of the column is the value of the property. The following code example writes out the schema information for DataReader.

Visual Basic

Private Sub GetSchemaInfo(ByVal connection As SqlConnection)
    Using connection
        Dim command As SqlCommand = New SqlCommand( _
          "SELECT CategoryID, CategoryName FROM Categories;", _
          connection)
        connection.Open()

        Dim reader As SqlDataReader = command.ExecuteReader()
        Dim schemaTable As DataTable = reader.GetSchemaTable()

        Dim row As DataRow
        Dim column As DataColumn

        For Each row In schemaTable.Rows
            For Each column In schemaTable.Columns
                Console.WriteLine(String.Format("{0} = {1}", _
                  column.ColumnName, row(column)))
            Next
            Console.WriteLine()
        Next
        reader.Close()
    End Using
End Sub

static void GetSchemaInfo(SqlConnection connection)
{
    using (connection)
    {
        SqlCommand command = new SqlCommand(
          "SELECT CategoryID, CategoryName FROM Categories;",
          connection);
        connection.Open();

        SqlDataReader reader = command.ExecuteReader();
        DataTable schemaTable = reader.GetSchemaTable();

        foreach (DataRow row in schemaTable.Rows)
        {
            foreach (DataColumn column in schemaTable.Columns)
            {
                Console.WriteLine(String.Format("{0} = {1}",
                   column.ColumnName, row[column]));
            }
        }
    }
}

Working with OLE DB Chapters

Hierarchical rowsets, or chapters (OLE DB type DBTYPE_HCHAPTER, ADO type adChapter) can be retrieved using the OleDbDataReader. When a query that includes a chapter is returned as a DataReader, the chapter is returned as a column in that DataReader and is exposed as a DataReader object.

The ADO.NET DataSet can also be used to represent hierarchical rowsets using parent-child relationships between tables. For more information, see DataSets, DataTables, and DataViews (ADO.NET).

The following code example uses the MSDataShape Provider to generate a chapter column of orders for each customer in a list of customers.

Visual Basic

Using connection As OleDbConnection = New OleDbConnection( _
  "Provider=MSDataShape;Data Provider=SQLOLEDB;" & _
  "Data Source=localhost;Integrated Security=SSPI;Initial Catalog=northwind")

Dim custCMD As OleDbCommand = New OleDbCommand( _
  "SHAPE {SELECT CustomerID, CompanyName FROM Customers} " & _
  "APPEND ({SELECT CustomerID, OrderID FROM Orders} AS CustomerOrders " & _
  "RELATE CustomerID TO CustomerID)", connection)
connection.Open()

Dim custReader As OleDbDataReader = custCMD.ExecuteReader()
Dim orderReader As OleDbDataReader

Do While custReader.Read()
  Console.WriteLine("Orders for " & custReader.GetString(1)) 
  ' custReader.GetString(1) = CompanyName

  orderReader = custReader.GetValue(2)
  ' custReader.GetValue(2) = Orders chapter as DataReader

  Do While orderReader.Read()
    Console.WriteLine(vbTab & orderReader.GetInt32(1))
    ' orderReader.GetInt32(1) = OrderID
  Loop
  orderReader.Close()
Loop
' Make sure to always close readers and connections.
custReader.Close()
End Using

Using (OleDbConnection connection = new OleDbConnection(
  "Provider=MSDataShape;Data Provider=SQLOLEDB;" +
  "Data Source=localhost;Integrated Security=SSPI;Initial Catalog=northwind"));
{
OleDbCommand custCMD = new OleDbCommand(
  "SHAPE {SELECT CustomerID, CompanyName FROM Customers} " +
  "APPEND ({SELECT CustomerID, OrderID FROM Orders} AS CustomerOrders " +
  "RELATE CustomerID TO CustomerID)", connection);
connection.Open();

OleDbDataReader custReader = custCMD.ExecuteReader();
OleDbDataReader orderReader;

while (custReader.Read())
{
  Console.WriteLine("Orders for " + custReader.GetString(1)); 
  // custReader.GetString(1) = CompanyName

  orderReader = (OleDbDataReader)custReader.GetValue(2);      
  // custReader.GetValue(2) = Orders chapter as DataReader

  while (orderReader.Read())
    Console.WriteLine("\t" + orderReader.GetInt32(1));        
    // orderReader.GetInt32(1) = OrderID
  orderReader.Close();
}
// Make sure to always close readers and connections.
custReader.Close();
}

Returning Results with Oracle REF CURSORs

The .NET Framework Data Provider for Oracle supports the use of Oracle REF CURSORs to return a query result. An Oracle REF CURSOR is returned as an OracleDataReader.

You can retrieve an OracleDataReader object, that represents an Oracle REF CURSOR using the ExecuteReader method, and you can also specify an OracleCommand that returns one or more Oracle REF CURSORs as the SelectCommand for an OracleDataAdapter used to fill a DataSet.

To access a REF CURSOR returned from an Oracle data source, create an OracleCommand for your query and add an output parameter that references the REF CURSOR to the Parameters collection of your OracleCommand. The name of the parameter must match the name of the REF CURSOR parameter in your query. Set the type of the parameter to OracleType.Cursor. The ExecuteReader method of your OracleCommand will return an OracleDataReader for the REF CURSOR.

If your OracleCommand returns multiple REF CURSORS, add multiple output parameters. You can access the different REF CURSORs by calling the OracleCommand.ExecuteReader method. The call to ExecuteReader returns an OracleDataReader referencing the first REF CURSOR. You can then call the OracleDataReader.NextResult method to access subsequent REF CURSORs. Although the parameters in your OracleCommand.Parameters collection match the REF CURSOR output parameters by name, the OracleDataReader accesses them in the order that they were added to the Parameters collection.

For example, consider the following Oracle package and package body.

CREATE OR REPLACE PACKAGE CURSPKG AS 
  TYPE T_CURSOR IS REF CURSOR; 
  PROCEDURE OPEN_TWO_CURSORS (EMPCURSOR OUT T_CURSOR, 
    DEPTCURSOR OUT T_CURSOR); 
END CURSPKG;

CREATE OR REPLACE PACKAGE BODY CURSPKG AS 
  PROCEDURE OPEN_TWO_CURSORS (EMPCURSOR OUT T_CURSOR, 
    DEPTCURSOR OUT T_CURSOR) 
  IS 
  BEGIN 
    OPEN EMPCURSOR FOR SELECT * FROM DEMO.EMPLOYEE; 
    OPEN DEPTCURSOR FOR SELECT * FROM DEMO.DEPARTMENT; 
  END OPEN_TWO_CURSORS; 
END CURSPKG;

The following code creates an OracleCommand that returns the REF CURSORs from the previous Oracle package by adding two parameters of type OracleType.Cursor to the Parameters collection.

Visual Basic

Dim cursCmd As OracleCommand = New OracleCommand("CURSPKG.OPEN_TWO_CURSORS", oraConn)
cursCmd.Parameters.Add("EMPCURSOR", OracleType.Cursor).Direction = ParameterDirection.Output
cursCmd.Parameters.Add("DEPTCURSOR", OracleType.Cursor).Direction = ParameterDirection.Output

OracleCommand cursCmd = new OracleCommand("CURSPKG.OPEN_TWO_CURSORS", oraConn);
cursCmd.Parameters.Add("EMPCURSOR", OracleType.Cursor).Direction = ParameterDirection.Output;
cursCmd.Parameters.Add("DEPTCURSOR", OracleType.Cursor).Direction = ParameterDirection.Output;

The following code returns the results of the previous command using the Read and NextResult methods of the OracleDataReader. The REF CURSOR parameters are returned in order.

Visual Basic

oraConn.Open()

Dim cursCmd As OracleCommand = New OracleCommand("CURSPKG.OPEN_TWO_CURSORS", oraConn)
cursCmd.CommandType = CommandType.StoredProcedure
cursCmd.Parameters.Add("EMPCURSOR", OracleType.Cursor).Direction = ParameterDirection.Output
cursCmd.Parameters.Add("DEPTCURSOR", OracleType.Cursor).Direction = ParameterDirection.Output

Dim reader As OracleDataReader = cursCmd.ExecuteReader()

Console.WriteLine(vbCrLf & "Emp ID" & vbTab & "Name")

Do While reader.Read()
  Console.WriteLine("{0}" & vbTab & "{1}, {2}", reader.GetOracleNumber(0), reader.GetString(1), reader.GetString(2))
Loop

reader.NextResult()

Console.WriteLine(vbCrLf & "Dept ID" & vbTab & "Name")

Do While reader.Read()
  Console.WriteLine("{0}" & vbTab & "{1}", reader.GetOracleNumber(0), reader.GetString(1))
Loop
' Make sure to always close readers and connections.
reader.Close()
oraConn.Close()

oraConn.Open();

OracleCommand cursCmd = new OracleCommand("CURSPKG.OPEN_TWO_CURSORS", oraConn);
cursCmd.CommandType = CommandType.StoredProcedure;
cursCmd.Parameters.Add("EMPCURSOR", OracleType.Cursor).Direction = ParameterDirection.Output;
cursCmd.Parameters.Add("DEPTCURSOR", OracleType.Cursor).Direction = ParameterDirection.Output;

OracleDataReader reader = cursCmd.ExecuteReader();

Console.WriteLine("\nEmp ID\tName");

while (reader.Read())
  Console.WriteLine("{0}\t{1}, {2}", reader.GetOracleNumber(0), reader.GetString(1), reader.GetString(2));

reader.NextResult();

Console.WriteLine("\nDept ID\tName");

while (reader.Read())
  Console.WriteLine("{0}\t{1}", reader.GetOracleNumber(0), reader.GetString(1));
// Make sure to always close readers and connections.
reader.Close();
oraConn.Close();

The following example uses the previous command to populate a DataSet with the results of the Oracle package.

Note:
To avoid an OverflowException, we recommend that you also handle any conversion from the Oracle NUMBER type to a valid .NET Framework type before storing the value in a DataRow. You can use the FillError event to determine if an OverflowException has occurred. For more information on the FillError event, see Handling DataAdapter Events (ADO.NET).

Visual Basic

Dim ds As DataSet = New DataSet()

Dim adapter As OracleDataAdapter = New OracleDataAdapter(cursCmd)
adapter.TableMappings.Add("Table", "Employees")
adapter.TableMappings.Add("Table1", "Departments")

adapter.Fill(ds)

DataSet ds = new DataSet();

OracleDataAdapter adapter = new OracleDataAdapter(cursCmd);
adapter.TableMappings.Add("Table", "Employees");
adapter.TableMappings.Add("Table1", "Departments");

adapter.Fill(ds);

Other Resources

Working with DataReaders

DataAdapters and DataReaders (ADO.NET)

Commands and Parameters (ADO.NET)

Retrieving Database Schema Information (ADO.NET)

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