SqlCommandBuilder in ADO.NET

c# ado.net

Updated on 12-Feb-2025

SqlCommandBuilder in ADO.NET

SqlCommandBuilder is a helper class in ADO.NET that automatically generates SQL commands (INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE) for a SqlDataAdapter based on the SELECT command provided. It simplifies the process of updating a database using SqlDataAdapter by eliminating the need to manually write SQL commands.

Key Features:

Automatically generates INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE statements for a SqlDataAdapter.
Works with a SqlDataAdapter that has a SELECT command specified.
Helps in synchronizing a DataTable with the database.
Used mainly in disconnected architecture with DataSet.

Example Usage:

using System;
using System.Data;
using System.Data.SqlClient;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        string connectionString = "your_connection_string";
        using (SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
        {
            SqlDataAdapter adapter = new SqlDataAdapter("SELECT * FROM Employees", conn);
            // Creating SqlCommandBuilder
            SqlCommandBuilder builder = new SqlCommandBuilder(adapter);

            // Fill the dataset
            DataSet ds = new DataSet();
            adapter.Fill(ds, "Employees");

            // Modify data in DataTable
            DataTable dt = ds.Tables["Employees"];
            dt.Rows[0]["Name"] = "Updated Name";

            // Update database
            adapter.Update(ds, "Employees");

            Console.WriteLine("Database updated successfully!");
        }
    }
}

Difference Between SqlCommand and SqlCommandBuilder

Feature	`SqlCommand`	`SqlCommandBuilder`
Purpose	Executes SQL queries such as `SELECT`, `INSERT`, `UPDATE`, `DELETE`, and stored procedures.	Automatically generates `INSERT`, `UPDATE`, and `DELETE` commands for a `SqlDataAdapter`.
Usage	Used to execute a single SQL command or stored procedure.	Works with `SqlDataAdapter` to update a `DataSet` back to the database.
Command Execution	Executes commands using `ExecuteReader()`, `ExecuteNonQuery()`, or `ExecuteScalar()`.	Does not execute commands directly but generates them for `SqlDataAdapter`.
Customization	The user must write the SQL commands manually.	Automatically generates commands based on the `SELECT` query of the `SqlDataAdapter`.
Performance	More efficient for executing direct commands.	Less efficient due to the overhead of command generation.
Example	`SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("SELECT * FROM Employees", conn);`	`SqlCommandBuilder builder = new SqlCommandBuilder(adapter);`

When to Use?

Use SqlCommand when executing direct SQL queries or stored procedures.
Use SqlCommandBuilder when working with SqlDataAdapter and DataSet in a disconnected environment.

Would you like an example comparing SqlCommand and SqlCommandBuilder in the same context?

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SqlCommandBuilder in ADO.NET

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SqlCommandBuilder in ADO.NET

Difference Between SqlCommand and SqlCommandBuilder

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