DataReader:
To create a SqlDataReader, you must call the ExecuteReader method of the SqlCommand object, instead of directly using a constructor.
While the SqlDataReader is being used, the associated SqlConnection is busy serving the SqlDataReader, and no other operations can be performed on the SqlConnection other than closing it. This is the case until the Close method of the SqlDataReader is called. For example, you cannot retrieve output parameters until after you call Close.
Example:
using System;
using System.Data;
using System.Data.SqlClient;
class Program
{
static void Main()
{
string str = "Data Source=(local);Initial Catalog=Northwind;"
+ "Integrated Security=SSPI";
ReadOrderData(str);
}
private static void ReadOrderData(string connectionString)
{
string queryString =
"SELECT OrderID, CustomerID FROM dbo.Orders;";
using (SqlConnection connection =
new SqlConnection(connectionString))
{
SqlCommand command =
new SqlCommand(queryString, connection);
connection.Open();
SqlDataReader reader = command.ExecuteReader();
// Call Read before accessing data.
while (reader.Read())
{
ReadSingleRow((IDataRecord)reader);
}
// Call Close when done reading.
reader.Close();
}
}
private static void ReadSingleRow(IDataRecord record)
{
Console.WriteLine(String.Format("{0}, {1}", record[0], record[1]));
}
}
DataAdapter:
The SqlDataAdapter, serves as a bridge between a DataSet and SQL Server for retrieving and saving data. The SqlDataAdapter provides this bridge by mapping Fill, which changes the data in the DataSet to match the data in the data source, and Update, which changes the data in the data source to match the data in the DataSet, using the appropriate Transact-SQL statements against the data source. The update is performed on a by-row basis. For every inserted, modified, and deleted row, the Update method determines the type of change that has been performed on it (Insert, Update, or Delete). Depending on the type of change, the Insert, Update, or Delete command template executes to propagate the modified row to the data source. When the SqlDataAdapter fills a DataSet, it creates the necessary tables and columns for the returned data if they do not already exist. However, primary key information is not included in the implicitly created schema unless the MissingSchemaAction property is set to AddWithKey. You may also have the SqlDataAdapter create the schema of the DataSet, including primary key information, before filling it with data using FillSchema. For more information, see Adding Existing Constraints to a DataSet (ADO.NET).
SqlDataAdapter is used in conjunction with SqlConnection and SqlCommand to increase performance when connecting to a SQL Server database.
Example:
private static DataSet SelectRows(DataSet dataset,
string connectionString,string queryString)
{
using (SqlConnection connection =
new SqlConnection(connectionString))
{
SqlDataAdapter adapter = new SqlDataAdapter();
adapter.SelectCommand = new SqlCommand(
queryString, connection);
adapter.Fill(dataset);
return dataset;
}
}