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C# SQL Server stored procedure not returning expected value

I wrote up this function to return a dataset, I was expecting a smaller dataset as there's only one value I was expecting back, but I get a rather bloated object back which I cannot find the value I am looking for, this is causing problems as I intend to use this function heavily.
I was hoping someone could spot what I am doing wrong, I have included the code, a screenshot of the returned object and what I am expecting. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
If I have not phrased anything in this question correctly feel free to let me know, I struggle to express my thoughts well.
public DataSet getPartnerParameter(string parameter)
{
using (var dbConnection = new SqlConnection(UnityHelper.IocContainer.Resolve<IConfigHelperService>().GetConnectionString("CASConnectionString")))
{
dbConnection.Open();
using (var dbCommand = new SqlCommand("GETPARTNERPARAMETER"))
{
dbCommand.CommandType = CommandType.StoredProcedure;
dbCommand.Connection = dbConnection;
SqlParameter lstrParameter = new SqlParameter("#Parameter", SqlDbType.VarChar);
lstrParameter.Value = parameter;
dbCommand.Parameters.Add(lstrParameter);
var ldaDPS = new SqlDataAdapter(dbCommand);
var ldstParameterValues = new DataSet();
ldaDPS.Fill(ldstParameterValues);
return ldstParameterValues;
}
}
}
This is what I am expecting to find
edit//
changed my code slightly but still not working.
public String[] getPartnerParameter(string parameter)
{
using (var dbConnection = new SqlConnection(UnityHelper.IocContainer.Resolve<IConfigHelperService>().GetConnectionString("CASConnectionString")))
{
dbConnection.Open();
SqlCommand dbCommand = new SqlCommand("GETPARTNERPARAMETER", dbConnection);
dbCommand.CommandType = CommandType.StoredProcedure;
SqlParameter lstrParameter = new SqlParameter("#Parameter", SqlDbType.VarChar);
lstrParameter.Value = parameter;
dbCommand.Parameters.Add(lstrParameter);
SqlDataReader reader = dbCommand.ExecuteReader();
string[] results = new string[2];
while (reader.Read())
{
results[0] = reader[0].ToString();
results[1] = reader[1].ToString();
}
if (results.Length < 1)
{
results[0] = "Cannot find Value";
results[1] = "S";
return results;
}
else
{
return results;
}
}
The error is this:
{"Procedure or function 'GETPARTNERPARAMETER' expects parameter '#Parameter', which was not supplied."}

The values you are looking for are probably in the dataSet.Tables[0].Rows[0] row.
However, if you are expecting one row back, a DataSet object seems like overkill. I would recommend avoiding the SqlDataAdapter/DataSet and instead use a SqlDataReader.
Untested code, but should give you the gist of how to use it:
using (SqlConnection connection = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
{
connection.Open();
SqlCommand dbCommand = new SqlCommand("GETPARTNERPARAMETER", connection);
dbCommand.CommandType = CommandType.StoredProcedure;
SqlParameter lstrParameter = new SqlParameter("#Parameter", SqlDbType.VarChar);
lstrParameter.Value = "LexisNexisCreditConsentRequired";
dbCommand.Parameters.Add(lstrParameter);
SqlDataReader reader = dbCommand.ExecuteReader();
while (reader.Read())
{
var yourValue = reader[0];
var yourDataType = reader[1];
}
}

A DataSet is an object which can contain many tables. It doesn't have to, but it can, and so it also has a number of fields, properties, and methods to support that role.
For this query, look at ldstParameterValues.Tables[0].Rows[0]. Within that row, you can also see the columns with another level of bracket-indexing:
DataRow row = ldstParameterValues.Tables[0].Rows[0];
var column0Value row[0];
var column1Value = row[1];
However, the type for these results is object. You'll need to either cast the values or use one of the GetX() methods on the datarow to get results with a meaningful type.

SQL query result assertion

I have put together the following method:
public static ArrayList DbQueryToArry()
{
string SqlCString = "connString";
SqlConnection connection = null;
ArrayList valuesList = new ArrayList();
connection = new SqlConnection(SqlCString);
connection.Open();
SqlCommand command = new SqlCommand("Select CLIENTNO, ACCOUNT_Purpose from audit.ACCOUNTS_AUDIT", connection);
SqlDataReader reader = command.ExecuteReader();
while (reader.Read())
{
valuesList.Add(Convert.ToString(reader[0]));
}
return valuesList;
}
I'd like to be able to run an assertion like this one:
var a = DbQueryToArry();
Assert.IsTrue(a.Contains("some value"));
Given reader [0]
valuesList.Add(Convert.ToString(reader[0]));
I only get the first column (CLIENTINFO) into the array and not the second (ACCOUNT_Purpose). How should I modify the code to get both ?
In addition, the returned values could be either a String or Int so would my current code version should be handling both ?
Thanks in advance.

If we switch from obsolete ArrayList to something like IEnumerable<T>:
public static IEnumerable<IDataRecord> DbQueryToArray(string sql) {
if (null == sql)
throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(sql));
//TODO: do not hardcode connetcion string but read it (say, from Settings)
string SqlCString = "connString";
//DONE: Wrap IDisposable into using
using (SqlConnection connection = new SqlConnection(SqlCString)) {
connection.Open();
//DONE: Wrap IDisposable into using
using (SqlCommand command = new SqlCommand(sql, connection)) {
//DONE: Wrap IDisposable into using
using (SqlDataReader reader = command.ExecuteReader()) {
while (reader.Read()) {
yield return reader as IDataRecord;
}
}
}
}
}
then you can use Linq in order to query the result:
var a = DbQueryToArray("Select CLIENTNO, ACCOUNT_Purpose from audit.ACCOUNTS_AUDIT");
Assert.IsTrue(a.Any(record =>
Convert.ToString(record["CLIENTNO"]) == "some value"));
Assert.IsTrue(a.Any(record =>
Convert.ToString(record["ACCOUNT_Purpose"]) == "some other value"));
If you don't want execute query several times, you can materialize the results:
var a = DbQueryToArray("Select CLIENTNO, ACCOUNT_Purpose from audit.ACCOUNTS_AUDIT")
.ToList();
Assert.IsTrue(a.Any(record => Convert.ToString(record[0]) == "some value"));
Assert.IsTrue(a.Any(record => Convert.ToString(record[1]) == "some other value"));
Finally (see comments below), if we want to test if any field in any record has the value:
var a = DbQueryToArray("Select CLIENTNO, ACCOUNT_Purpose from audit.ACCOUNTS_AUDIT")
.SelectMany(line => {
// Flatten the cursor into IEnumerable<String>
string[] result = new string[line.FieldCount];
for (int i = 0; i < result.Length; ++i)
result[i] = Convert.ToString(line[i]);
return result;
});
a.Any(item => item == "some value");

It is because you only read the first value of the reader. Reader.Read() read each row one by one and Convert.ToString(reader[0])) means that you want to read the first column as string.

That's cause you are getting only the first column. You can do something like below by specifying the column name
while (reader.Read())
{
valuesList.Add(Convert.ToString(reader["CLIENTNO"]));
valuesList.Add(Convert.ToString(reader["ACCOUNT_Purpose"]));
}
Moreover, since you are converting all the columns to string; I would suggest to use a strongly typed collection like List<string> rather then ArrayList valuesList = new ArrayList();

The other answers are good, However some concerns
Lets stop using ArrayList, and use a List<T> instead
Lets use a using statement where you can
Note : I have used a ValueTuple to return more than 1 field
Example
public static List<(string clientNo, string account)> DbQueryToArray()
{
const string SqlCString = "connString";
var valuesList = new List<(string clientNo, string account)>();
using (var connection = new SqlConnection(SqlCString))
{
connection.Open();
using (var command = new SqlCommand("Select CLIENTNO, ACCOUNT_Purpose from audit.ACCOUNTS_AUDIT", connection))
{
var reader = command.ExecuteReader();
while (reader.Read())
valuesList.Add(((string)reader[0],(string)reader[1]) );
}
}
return valuesList;
}
Usage
var results = DbQueryToArray();
Assert.IsTrue(results.Any(x => x.clientNo == someValue || x.account == someValue));

best practice is to check first if the reader has rows
reader.HasRows
then close the reader and the connection
your code should look like this:
public static ArrayList DbQueryToArry()
{
string SqlCString = "connString";
SqlConnection connection = null;
ArrayList valuesList = new ArrayList();
connection = new SqlConnection(SqlCString);
using (connection)
{
connection.Open();
SqlCommand command = new SqlCommand("Select CLIENTNO, ACCOUNT_Purpose from audit.ACCOUNTS_AUDIT", connection);
SqlDataReader reader = command.ExecuteReader();
if (reader.HasRows)
{
while (reader.Read())
{
valuesList.Add(Convert.ToString(reader[0]));
valuesList.Add(Convert.ToString(reader[1])); // add to valuelist
}
}
reader.Close(); // close reader
} //dispose connection
return valuesList;
}

Use DataTable and SqlDataAdapter to get query result in form of table. Something like this:
string connString = #"your connection string here";
string query = "select * from table";
DataTable dataTable = new DataTable();
SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection(connString);
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand(query, conn);
conn.Open();
// create data adapter
SqlDataAdapter da = new SqlDataAdapter(cmd);
// this will query your database and return the result to your datatable
da.Fill(dataTable);
conn.Close();
da.Dispose();
Then you can use dataTable object to see if particular values exist.

Passing multiple SqlParameter to method

In my main form, I have implemented this code..
void SampleMethod(string name, string lastName, string database)
{
SqlParameter sqlParam = new SqlParameter();
sqlParam.ParameterName = "#name";
sqlParam.Value = name;
sqlParam.SqlDbType = SqlDbType.NVarChar;
SqlParameter sqlParam1 = new SqlParameter();
sqlParam1.ParameterName = "#lastName";
sqlParam1.Value = lastName;
sqlParam1.SqlDbType = SqlDbType.NVarChar;
SqlParameter sqlParam2 = new SqlParameter();
sqlParam2.ParameterName = "#database";
sqlParam2.Value = database;
sqlParam2.SqlDbType = SqlDbType.NVarChar;
SampleClass sampleClass = new SampleClass(new DBConn(#serverName, tableName, userName, password));
sampleClass.executeStoredProc(dataGridView1, "sp_sampleStoredProc", sqlParam, sqlParam1, sqlParam2);
}
And in my SampleClass, I have this kind of method.
public DataGridView executeStoredProc(DataGridView dtgrdView, string storedProcName, params SqlParameter[] parameters)
{
try
{
DataTable dt = new DataTable();
sqlDA = new SqlDataAdapter(storedProcName, sqlconn);
sqlDA.SelectCommand.CommandType = CommandType.StoredProcedure;
sqlDA.SelectCommand.CommandTimeout = 60;
// Loop through passed parameters
if (parameters != null && parameters.Length > 0)
{
foreach (var p in parameters)
sqlDA.SelectCommand.Parameters.Add(p);
}
sqlDA.Fill(dt);
dtgrdView.DataSource = dt;
sqlconn.Close();
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
MessageBox.Show(ex.Message);
sqlconn.Close();
}
return dtgrdView;
}
What I am trying to do is avoid multiple
SqlParameter sqlParam = new SqlParameter()
in my code, I have tried so many solutions for this problem but I didn't get the right answer. I have also tried to research about this but I still couldn't get the right answer.
Please don't mind my naming convention and other codes as I intentionally change many of them :) Thanks.

As an alternative to your solution, try to use already existing one instead, using Dapper (https://github.com/StackExchange/dapper-dot-net).
You still need to use multiple parameters if your stored procedure or query needs it, but this is nicely abstracted for you and this will definatelly reduce the amount of code.
void SampleMethod(string name, string lastName, string database)
{
using(var connection = new SqlConnection(MY_CONNECTION_STRING))
{
var resultListOfRows = connection.Query<ReturnObject>(MY_STORED_PROCEDURE, new {
name = name,
lastName = lastName,
database = database}, commandType: System.Data.CommandType.StoredProcedure);
}
}

First of all, the easiest option would be to use a microORM like Dapper, and retrieve a strongly-typed collection. Gridviews can bind to anything, including strongly typed collections. All this code could become:
using(var con=new SqlConnection(myConnectionString))
{
con.Open();
var result= connection.Query<ResultClass>("sp_MySproc",
new { Name= name, LastName= lastName,Database=database},
commandType: CommandType.StoredProcedure);
return result;
}
Even when using raw ADO.NET, you can create a SqlParameter in one line by using the appropriate constructor . For example, you can create a new nvarchar(n) parameter with:
var myParam=new SqlParameter("#name",SqlDbType.NVarchar,20);
or
var myParam=new SqlParameter("#name",SqlDbType.NVarchar,20){Value = name};
A better idea though is to create the SqlCommand object just once and reuse it. Once you have an initialized SqlCommand object, you can simply set a new connection to it and change the parameter values, eg:
public void Init()
{
_loadCustomers = new SqlCommand(...);
_loadCustomers.Parameters.Add("#name",SqlDbType.NVarChar,20);
...
}
//In another method :
using(var con=new SqlConnection(myConnectionString)
{       
_loadCustomers.Connection=con;
_loadCustomers.Parameters["#name"].Value = myNameParam;
con.Open();
using(var reader=_load.ExecuteReader())
{
//...
}
}
You can do the same thing with a SqlDataAdapter, in fact that's how Windows Forms and Data Adapters are meant to be used since .NET 1.0 .
Instead of creating a new one each time you want to fill your grid, create a single one and reuse it by setting the connection and parameters before execution. You can use the SqlDataAdapter(SqlCommand) constructor to make things a bit cleaner:
public void Init()
{
_loadCustomers = new SqlCommand(...);
_loadCustomers.Parameters.Add("#name",SqlDbType.NVarChar,20);
....
_myGridAdapter = new SqlDataAdapter(_loadCustomers);
...
}
And call it like this:
using(var con=new SqlConnection(myConnectionString))
{
_myGridAdapter.SelectCommand.Connection=con;
_myGridAdapter.SelectCommand.Parameters["#name"].Value =....;
con.Open();
var dt = new DataTable();
_myGridAdapter.Fill(dt);
dtgrdView.DataSource = dt;
return dtgrdView;
}

Separate your Database logic at one place(put sqladapter, sqlcommand etc at one place), Then encapsulate parameters within your command like mentioned below and you don't need to declare sqlparameter separately, add it inside parameters list.
cmdToExecute.Parameters.Add(new SqlParameter("#parameter", value));
Take a look at the complete example below
public DataTable ProdTypeSelectAll(string cultureCode)
{
SqlCommand cmdToExecute = new SqlCommand();
cmdToExecute.CommandText = "dbo.[pk_ProdType_SelectAll]";
cmdToExecute.CommandType = CommandType.StoredProcedure;
DataTable toReturn = new DataTable("ProdType");
SqlDataAdapter adapter = new SqlDataAdapter(cmdToExecute);
cmdToExecute.Connection = _mainConnection;
cmdToExecute.Parameters.Add(new SqlParameter("#CultureName", cultureCode));
_mainConnection.Open();
adapter.Fill(toReturn);
return toReturn;
}

You may be able to use the SqlParameter Constructor (String, Object). Replace:
sampleClass.executeStoredProc(dataGridView1,
"sp_sampleStoredProc",
sqlParam,
sqlParam1,
sqlParam2);
With:
sampleClass.executeStoredProc(dataGridView1,
"sp_sampleStoredProc",
new SqlParameter("#name", (object)name),
new SqlParameter("#lastName", (object)lastName),
new SqlParameter("#database", (object)database));

Can I create an anonymous type collection from a DataReader?

I have this code:
var query = "SELECT * FROM Cats";
var conn = new SqlConnection(sqlConnectionString);
conn.Open();
var cmd = new SqlCommand(query);
var reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();
while (reader.Read())
{
var CatName = reader.GetString(0);
var CatDOB = reader.GetDateTime(1);
var CatStatus = reader.GetInt32(2);
}
I'd like to pull the rows out into an anonymous type collection, which I'd normally do using LINQ to iterate, but I an not sure if it's possible due to the way you have to call .Read() each time to get the next row.
Is there a way to do this?

You can create helper generic method and let compiler infer type parameter:
private IEnumerable<T> Select<T>(DbDataReader reader, Func<DbDataReader, T> selector)
{
while(reader.Read())
{
yield return selector(reader);
}
}
usage:
var items = SelectFromReader(reader, r => new { CatName = r.GetString(0), CarDOB = r.GetDateTime(1), CatStatus = r.GetInt32(2) });
You can even make the method an extension method on DbDataReader:
public static IEnumerable<T> Select<T>(this DbDataReader reader, Func<DbDataReader, T> selector)
{
while (reader.Read())
{
yield return selector(reader);
}
}
and use it like that:
var items = reader.Select(r => new { CatName = r.GetString(0), CarDOB = r.GetDateTime(1), CatStatus = r.GetInt32(2) });

Here is an example of doing it with dynamic (which I think is easier to work with) but some may feel does not adhere to the letter of your question.
Call it like this:
var result = SelectIntoList("SELECT * FROM Cats",sqlconnectionString);
You could (like I did) put it into a static class in a separate file for easier maintanence.
public static IEnumerable<dynamic> SelectIntoList(string SQLselect, string connectionString, CommandType cType = CommandType.Text)
{
using (SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
{
using (SqlCommand cmd = conn.CreateCommand())
{
cmd.CommandType = cType;
cmd.CommandText = SQLselect;
conn.Open();
using (SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader())
{
if (reader.Read()) // read the first one to get the columns collection
{
var cols = reader.GetSchemaTable()
.Rows
.OfType<DataRow>()
.Select(r => r["ColumnName"]);
do
{
dynamic t = new System.Dynamic.ExpandoObject();
foreach (string col in cols)
{
((IDictionary<System.String, System.Object>)t)[col] = reader[col];
}
yield return t;
} while (reader.Read());
}
}
conn.Close();
}
}
}

It's possible, although not particularly neat. We'll need to create a new method that will allow us to create an empty sequence that allows for type inference off of a dummy value for starters:
public static IEnumerable<T> Empty<T>(T dummyValue)
{
return Enumerable.Empty<T>();
}
This lets us create a list of an anonymous type:
var list = Empty(new
{
CatName = "",
CatDOB = DateTime.Today,
CatStatus = 0
}).ToList();
(The item here isn't used.)
Now we can add our anonymous types to this list:
var cmd = new SqlCommand(query);
var reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();
while (reader.Read())
{
list.Add(new
{
CatName = reader.GetString(0),
CatDOB = reader.GetDateTime(1),
CatStatus = reader.GetInt32(2),
});
}
Of course, using a named type would likely be easier, so I would suggest using one unless there is a real compelling reason not to do so. That is especially true if you plan to use the list outside of the scope it's created in.

Technically, it may not answer your question, but simply don't use a reader. Instead use a SqlDataAdapter to Fill a DataSet, if you can. Take the 0th Table of that DataSet, and select a new anonymous object from the Rows collection.
using System.Data; // and project must reference System.Data.DataSetExtensions
var ds = new DataSet();
using (var conn = DbContext.Database.GetDbConnection())
using (var cmd = conn.CreateCommand())
{
cmd.CommandType = CommandType.Text;
cmd.CommandText = sqlText;
conn.Open();
(new SqlDataAdapter(cmd)).Fill(ds);
}
var rows = ds.Tables[0].AsEnumerable(); // AsEnumerable() is the extension
var anons = rows
.Select(r => new { Val = r["Val"] })
.ToList();

Loop Through Results from a Method

I have a method that calls a Proc ad returns the data. But I want to call the method and loop through all the results and use the results to plug into an Excel document. I can't seem to figure out how to loop through results coming from the method call. This is my method:
public DataView GetCoupons()
{
string connStr = ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["SiteSqlServer"].ConnectionString;
SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection(connStr);
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("CPC_GetAllCoupons", conn);
cmd.CommandType = CommandType.StoredProcedure;
//make the dap & ds
SqlDataAdapter dap = new System.Data.SqlClient.SqlDataAdapter(cmd);
DataSet ds = new DataSet();
//open con
if (conn.State == ConnectionState.Closed)
conn.Open();
//get the data
dap.Fill(ds);
//close the conn and return
if (conn.State == ConnectionState.Open)
conn.Close();
return ds.Tables[0].DefaultView;
}
So I want to call that method and get all the results and loop through the results. How would I go about doing that?
Thanks!

When you fill a DataSet, you get a representation of all the result sets returned from the procedure call. To access individual result sets, you simply enumerate over the Tables collection like you are doing:
foreach(DataTable table in ds.Tables)
Then, you can enumerate through all the records in each dataset like so:
foreach(DataRow row in table.Rows)
And then get data from each record:
object something = row["SomeColumnName"];

DataView coupons = GetCoupons();
foreach (var row in coupons) {
// do something here
}

Something like this, should be enough
foreach (DataRowView rowView in dv) //where dv is your DataView
{
DataRow row = rowView.Row;
// Do your stuff here
}
Hope this helps.

I recommend encapsulating the data access in a repository which returns objects of a type which you require. E.g.
public class Coupon
{
public int Foo { get; set; }
public int Bar { get; set; }
}
public class CouponRepository
{
private readonly string connectionString;
public CouponRepository(string connectionString)
{
this.connectionString = connectionString;
}
public IEnumerable<Coupon> GetCoupons()
{
using(var conn = new SqlConnection(this.connectionString))
using(var cmd = new SqlCommand("CPC_GetAllCoupons", conn))
{
cmd.CommandType = CommandType.StoredProcedure;
conn.Open();
using (var reader = cmd.ExecuteReader())
{
while (reader.Read())
{
yield return new Coupon
{
Foo = (int)reader["Foo"],
Bar = (int)reader["Bar"],
};
}
}
}
}
}
Usage:-
var connectionString = ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["SiteSqlServer"].ConnectionString;
var repo = new CouponRepository(connectionString);
foreach (var coupon in repo.GetCoupons())
{
// do something
}

You could use:
Dataview dv = GetCoupons();
foreach(Item item in dv.Table.Rows)
{
//...
}
But there is a lot of ways of doing this.