Question: I am trying to understand the dataset and how I can use it. It looks like a really powerful feature but it has an incredible amount of objects. It seems to me that I should be able to do simple things like create and edit values. But for the life of me I can’t seem to figure out how it works. Do you have some simple example that show how you can create a dataset and then update the individual rows?

Answer: Sure – here are some examples.

1. The following creates a dataset that we can use in the later examples.

' create the item table

Dim tblitem As DataTable = New DataTable("item")

Dim itemid As DataColumn = New DataColumn("itemno", _ Type.GetType("System.Int32"))

Dim colititle As DataColumn = New DataColumn("title", _ Type.GetType("System.String"))

Dim colipubdate As DataColumn = New DataColumn("pubdate", _ Type.GetType("System.String"))

Dim colidesc As DataColumn = New DataColumn("description", _ Type.GetType("System.String"))

Dim colilink As DataColumn = New DataColumn("link", _ Type.GetType("System.String"))

‘ create the columns

tblitem.Columns.Add(itemid)

tblitem.Columns.Add(colititle)

tblitem.Columns.Add(colipubdate)

tblitem.Columns.Add(colidesc)

tblitem.Columns.Add(colilink)

‘ add it to the dataset

ds.Tables.Add(tblitem)

2. Create a datatable from the dataset and insert a datarow.

Dim dt As DataTable = ds.Tables("item")

' get the datarow

Dim dtrow As DataRow

dtrow = dt.NewRow()

dtrow("itemno") = 10

dtrow("link") = "http://www.msn.com"

dt.Rows.Add(dtrow)

3. Select the new row and edit the value

Dim dr As DataRow() = dt.Select("itemno=10")

If dr.Length > 0 Then

    dr(0).Item("link") = "http://www.test.com"

End If

dt.AcceptChanges()

11:00:34 PM    

*********CALL FOR SPEAKERS*********

Developer Code Camp II: The Return!

October 16/17, 2004

October 16 – 8:30 AM – 9PM

October 17 – 8:30 AM – 4PM

Microsoft Waltham

Schedule: http://radio.weblogs.com/0131777/CodeCamp2/code2.htm

General Call for Speakers

Code Camp II is looking for speakers and session leaders.

Code Camp II: The Return is looking to be even bigger and better than anything we have done before. The secret is you! This is a New England developer community based event that requires both speakers and attendees. The continuing goal of the Code Camps series is to provide an intensive developer to developer learning experience that is fun and technically stimulating. The primary focus is on delivering programming information and sample code that can be used immediately. The event is free and all slides, manuals and demo code are provided free!

This two day camp is hosted in our Waltham facility. As a community based event this is a general call for speakers and session leaders to help make this event a success. Based on your feedback, Code Camp II will now feature two types of 1.5 hour sessions and three defined tracks

Do you have something to say?

Requested Session Types:

Code focused presentation – These are presentations that include both power points and code demos. Given the audience that is attending it is important that a large amount of the presentation is focused on code and coding related techniques. Sample topics include How To and Best Practice Sessions.

Chalk Talks – These are new to the Code Camp. These sessions are designed as a facilitated discussion around a specific topic. No pre-canned demos, or pre-prepared code samples allowed! They are presented as a free form facilitated discussion that leverages the expertise of the presenter and the combined knowledge of the group to explore a specific topic.

Additionally, based on feedback we are sponsoring the following three tracks. All presentations must fall into these tracks to be considered. One of the strongest pieces of feedback from the last Code Camp was to provide a better organized set of tracks:

Code Camp Tracks:

Smart Client – This track is designed for presentations or chalk talks on topics related to Smart Client related development topics. This includes Windows Forms applications, Microsoft Office or mobile devices.

Web Track – This track is designed for presentations or chalk talks about Web based development that includes ASP.NET and Web Services.

Data Track – This track is designed for presentation and chalk talks about data storage technologies that includes SQL Server and XML.

********Submit Your Sessions********

Please complete the following and return it to trobbins@microsoft.com by September 15.

Once your session abstract is received we will review and provide scheduling for the selected sessions by October 1. All slides and code samples for the presentation must be delivered by October 14. If we are unable to fill all the time slots for the two days, the code camp will be shortened. It is the community that makes this event a success!

11:20:34 AM    

Finally, got a chance to build an image using Visual Studio 2005 Beta 1. While writing some code I ran across something that I hadn’t seen in any of the documentation that I have read so far. I would typically use the following line to add a parameter to the SQL Command object.

        sqlCmd = New SqlCommand

        With sqlCmd

            .Connection = sqlConn

            .CommandTimeout = 30

            .CommandType = CommandType.StoredProcedure

            .CommandText = "spInsertFeedback"

            .Parameters.Add("@EvaluatorName", EvaluatorName)

        End With

According to the Intellisense that popped up, the Parameters.Add functionality has been made obsolete and now becomes.

        sqlCmd = New SqlCommand

        With sqlCmd

            .Connection = sqlConn

            .CommandTimeout = 30

            .CommandType = Data.CommandType.StoredProcedure

            .CommandText = "sp_GetCompanyName"

            .Parameters.AddWithValue("@CustomerID", CustomerID)

        End With

8:38:25 PM    

For this who read the .NET Developers Journal they have just published an article that I co-wrote this article with Raheel Retiwalla on SQL Server 2005 and ADO 2.0.

Or you can pick it up at the local newstands.

Accessing the Structure with XML We were listening to a CIO explain how two years ago his company had instituted a mandatory XML policy for the IT staff. Senior management had decided that XML offered too great a competitive advantage for them to pass up using it. The use of XML, he explained, allowed them to quickly change and share their core business structures. The development staff had easily found ways to use XML within their applications.

6:42:50 PM    

For those attending my presentation tonight on Building Custom Controls with ASP.NET at our office in Waltham, I wanted to upload the slides and code samples for those interested. They can be found here.

10:40:29 AM    

I think we all have been trying to get a better handle on things like Indigo and some of the next generation technologies. If you are interested in this here is a great short video from the folks at Channel 9.

http://channel9.msdn.com/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=9792

For those that haven't checked out Channel 9 - a definate place to see!

7:06:28 PM