DataTable Class

Namespace

System.Data

Syntax

public sealed class DataTable : MarshalByValueObject, IListSource, IBindingList

Namespace: System.Data

Assembly: System.Data.dll

Description

Represents an in-memory collection of tables that provides a relational data structure. DataTable is one of the primary classes used to represent data in ADO.NET.

A DataTable can be used on its own to represent a single table of data, or it can be used with a DataSet to represent the tables in a relational database.

Key features of DataTable include:

Columns: Defines the schema of the table, including data types and constraints.
Rows: Stores the actual data for the table.
Constraints: Enforces data integrity through primary keys, unique constraints, and foreign keys.
Relations: Defines relationships between DataTable objects within a DataSet.
DataView: Allows for sorting, filtering, and searching of the data in the DataTable.

Properties

Name	Description	Access
CaseSensitive	Gets or sets a value indicating whether string comparisons within this table are case-sensitive.	Read/Write
ChildRelations	Gets a collection of `DataRelation` objects that represent the child relations for this `DataTable`.	Read
Columns	Gets a `DataColumnCollection` that contains the columns for this `DataTable`.	Read
Constraints	Gets a `ConstraintCollection` that contains all constraints for this `DataTable`.	Read
DataSet	Gets the `DataSet` that contains this `DataTable`.	Read
DefaultView	Gets a `DataView` object that can be used to navigate and manipulate the data in the `DataTable`.	Read
DisplayExpression	Gets or sets the expression used to create a display string that identifies this table.	Read/Write
HasErrors	Gets a value indicating whether there are errors in any rows in this table.	Read
IsInitialized	Gets a value indicating whether the `DataTable` has been initialized.	Read
Locale	Gets or sets information about the current culture for this `DataTable`.	Read/Write
MinimumCapacity	Gets or sets the initial capacity of the `DataTable`.	Read/Write
ParentRelations	Gets a collection of `DataRelation` objects that represent the parent relations for this `DataTable`.	Read
PrimaryKey	Gets or sets the array of columns that constitute the primary key for this `DataTable`.	Read/Write
RemotingContext	Gets or sets the context that is used for remoting.	Read/Write
Rows	Gets a `DataRowCollection` that contains the rows for this `DataTable`.	Read
Site	Gets or sets the site of the component.	Read/Write
TableName	Gets or sets the name of this `DataTable`.	Read/Write

Methods

Name	Description
AcceptChanges() Commits all changes that have been made to this `DataTable` since the last call to `AcceptChanges()`. public void AcceptChanges();	Commits all changes made to this `DataTable`.
BeginInit() Begins a bulk update of the `DataTable`. Calls to `BeginInit()` must be matched by calls to `EndInit()`. public void BeginInit();	Begins a bulk update.
Clear() Removes all rows and columns from the `DataTable`. public void Clear();	Clears all rows and columns.
Clone() Creates a new `DataTable` that is a copy of this `DataTable`. This method copies the schema, including the column definitions, constraints, and relations, but not the data. public DataTable Clone();	Creates a copy of the schema.
Compute(string expression, string filter) Evaluates the given expression by using `DataColumn` mapping and returns the computed value. Parameters: `expression`: The expression to evaluate. `filter`: The filter to apply to the rows. public object Compute(string expression, string filter);	Evaluates an expression.
Copy() Creates a new `DataTable` that is a copy of this `DataTable`. This method copies the schema and the data. public DataTable Copy();	Creates a copy of the table and its data.
CreateInstance() Creates a `DataTable` that is a copy of this `DataTable`. protected virtual object CreateInstance();	Creates an instance of the table.
Dispose() Releases the unmanaged resources that are used by the current instance of the `DataTable` class and optionally releases the managed resources. public void Dispose();	Releases resources.
EndInit() Ends the bulk update of the `DataTable`. public void EndInit();	Ends a bulk update.
Equals(object obj) Determines whether the specified object is equal to the current object. Parameters: `obj`: The object to compare with the current object. public override bool Equals(object obj);	Determines if two objects are equal.
Find(object primaryKey, ...) Finds the row that has the specified primary key value. Assumes that the primary key has already been set. Parameters: `primaryKey`: The primary key value to search for. ...: Additional primary key values for composite keys. public DataRow Find(object primaryKey);	Finds a row by its primary key.
GetChanges() Returns a copy of the `DataTable` that contains all the changes made to it since it was loaded or the last time `AcceptChanges()` was called. public DataTable GetChanges();	Returns a copy of the table with changes.
GetErrors() Returns a `DataRow` array containing all the rows that have errors. public DataRow[] GetErrors();	Returns rows with errors.
GetHashCode() Serves as the default hash function. public override int GetHashCode();	Serves as the default hash function.
GetType() Gets the Type of the current instance. public override Type GetType();	Gets the type of the current instance.
ImportRow(DataRow row) Imports a `DataRow` into the `DataTable`. Parameters: `row`: The `DataRow` to import. public void ImportRow(DataRow row);	Imports a data row.
Load(IDataReader reader, LoadOption loadOption, params DataTable[] tables) Loads data from an `IDataReader` into the `DataTable`. Parameters: `reader`: The `IDataReader` to load data from. `loadOption`: A `LoadOption` enumeration value that specifies how to handle existing data. `tables`: An array of `DataTable` objects to load data into. public void Load(IDataReader reader, LoadOption loadOption, params DataTable[] tables);	Loads data from an IDataReader.
Merge(DataTable table) Merges the current `DataTable` with another `DataTable`. Parameters: `table`: The `DataTable` to merge with. public void Merge(DataTable table);	Merges with another DataTable.
NewRow() Creates a new `DataRow` with the same schema as this `DataTable`. public DataRow NewRow();	Creates a new DataRow.
OnRowChanged(DataRowChangeEventArgs e) Raises the `RowChanged` event. Parameters: `e`: A `DataRowChangeEventArgs` that contains the event data. protected virtual void OnRowChanged(DataRowChangeEventArgs e);	Raises the RowChanged event.
OnRowChanging(DataRowChangeEventArgs e) Raises the `RowChanging` event. Parameters: `e`: A `DataRowChangeEventArgs` that contains the event data. protected virtual void OnRowChanging(DataRowChangeEventArgs e);	Raises the RowChanging event.
OnRowDeleted(DataRowChangeEventArgs e) Raises the `RowDeleted` event. Parameters: `e`: A `DataRowChangeEventArgs` that contains the event data. protected virtual void OnRowDeleted(DataRowChangeEventArgs e);	Raises the RowDeleted event.
OnRowDeleting(DataRowChangeEventArgs e) Raises the `RowDeleting` event. Parameters: `e`: A `DataRowChangeEventArgs` that contains the event data. protected virtual void OnRowDeleting(DataRowChangeEventArgs e);	Raises the RowDeleting event.
ReadXml(string fileName) Reads XML data into the `DataTable`. Parameters: `fileName`: The name of the file to read. public void ReadXml(string fileName);	Reads XML data from a file.
RejectChanges() Rejects all changes that have been made to this `DataTable` since the last call to `AcceptChanges()`. public void RejectChanges();	Rejects all changes.
Reset() Resets the `DataTable` to its initial state. public void Reset();	Resets the DataTable.
Select(string filterExpression) Returns an array of `DataRow` objects that match the specified filter expression. Parameters: `filterExpression`: The expression to filter rows by. public DataRow[] Select(string filterExpression);	Selects rows based on a filter expression.
ToString() Returns a string that represents the current object. public override string ToString();	Returns a string representation.
WriteXml(string fileName) Writes the `DataTable` to a file in XML format. Parameters: `fileName`: The name of the file to write to. public void WriteXml(string fileName);	Writes XML data to a file.