DataSets Question and Use

[soph]

Hello All,

I am doing some research and trying to figure out the best method of storing and manipulating data for our project. I was considering using the .NET DataSets for creating my data structure, then storing the files in XML format. However, most of what I am reading is that DataSets are mostly used when an interface is needed between a database (such as SQL Server or Access). Is that correct?

Is there a way to just populate the DataSet, then put the data into an XML file without having to use a database? If yes, how can that be done? I created a complex type DataSet, but I am having a hard time figuring out how to populate and get it to create the resulting XML file for where the data will be stored.

Any help is appreciated.

Soph

[markusd]

yes, it is definitely possible.

I've created some tools, using just DataSet's and saved the data to XML.

Here some hints to lookup in the NET Framework Help:


DataSet workSet = new DataSet("Cinema");
DataTable channelTable = new DataTable("Channels");
channelTable.Columns.Add("ID", typeof(int));
channelTable.PrimaryKey = new DataColumn[] {channelTable.Columns["ID"]};
channelTable.Columns.Add("ChannelName", typeof(String));
channelTable.Columns.Add("ChannelType", typeof(int));

workSet.Tables.Add(channelTable);

/* Relationship Movie-Channel */

DataColumn parentCol = workSet.Tables["Channels"].Columns["ID"];
DataColumn childCol = workSet.Tables["Movies"].Columns["Channel"];
// Create DataRelation.
relCustOrder = new DataRelation("MovieChannel", parentCol, childCol, false);
// Add the relation to the DataSet.

workSet.Relations.Add(relCustOrder);

// Add some Data...
DataRow rw = channelTable.NewRow()
rw["ID"] = 1;
rw["ChannelName"] = "test";
rw["ChannelType"] = 5;
channelTable.Rows.Add(rw);

// Save Data...
workSet.WriteXml(filename);


You can also create columns that are calculated values or values from other tables (parent<->child), the tricky part is then, when you save to XML to not save the "expression" based columns with it.

[soph]

Thanks so much! I will give this a try!

Soph