How do I define a DataRelation between a DataSet's DataTables on multiple columns?

Question

In my project there are two datatables dtNames and dtDetails.

I dont know about SQL. Here I am connecting to XML and Textfiles.

dtNames

EmpName    EmpRole

   a         2
   b         3
   c         4

dtDetails

 Empid     EmpName   EmpCity   EmpRole

  101        a         abc       3  //EmpRole not equal to above table EmpRole
  102        b         abc       3
  103        c         xyz       4
  104        d         pqr       5
  105        e         rst       6

I want to relate these two datatables based on the EmpName and EmpRole (here comparing to dtNames) and store the result in a DataSet dsMain(table from dtDetails) and then divide the two datatables in according to comparison like matchedDataTable and unmatchedDataTable.

I know this can be done using DataRelation or RowFilter but i cant get a thought how to do this because there are two columns to be compared with other datatable two columns which i dont know.(I am beginner in .net)

I tried the below code: (not working)

            DataSet dsMain = new DataSet();
            DataRelation newRelation = new DataRelation("processData"
                , dtNames.Columns["EmpName"], dtDetails.Columns["EmpName"]);
            dsMain.Relations.Add(newRelation);

As you can see In the above code I am just comparing one column with other column. How compare with two. I am very close

please assist.

Check this - http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb386998.aspx — rs., Oct 18 '12 at 13:30
I think this is linq? if it is then i dont want it. I know how to do using linq but my project is strictly non-linq. cant it be done using dataset rowfilters or datarelations.. — Mr_Green, Oct 18 '12 at 13:32
As a side note: you might want to re-evaluate your database design (or your retrieval queries), as the datatables at the moment are not normalized (i.e. you are repeating the EmpRole data in both tables). — pleinolijf, Oct 18 '12 at 13:49

score 6 · Accepted Answer · answered Oct 18 '12 at 13:39

6

Use the constructor that accepts column arrays:

DataSet dsMain = new DataSet();
DataRelation newRelation = new DataRelation("processData",
    new DataColumn[] { dtNames.Columns["EmpName"], dtNames.Columns["EmpRole"] },
    new DataColumn[] {dtDetails.Columns["EmpName"], dtDetails.Columns["EmpRole"]}
);
dsMain.Relations.Add(newRelation);

answered Oct 18 '12 at 13:39

Artemix

2,113
2
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thank you, how to divide it into two tables like `matchedtable` and `unmatchedtable` ? – Mr_Green Oct 18 '12 at 13:43
1

The relation will actually prevent unmatched rows to be added. To separate "matched" from "unmatched" you'll have to use plain old foreach loop. – Artemix Oct 18 '12 at 13:52

score 4 · Answer 2 · answered Oct 18 '12 at 13:37

4

Did you check the possible constructors of DataRelation ?

Just pass an array of DataColumn, and you can combine multiple columns. Like so:

DataRelation newRelation = new DataRelation("test", new DataColumn[] { dt1.Columns[0], dt1.Columns[1] },
                                                    new DataColumn[] { dt2.Columns[0], dt2.Columns[1] });

answered Oct 18 '12 at 13:37

pleinolijf

891
12
29

thank you, how to divide it into two tables like matchedtable and unmatchedtable ? – Mr_Green Oct 18 '12 at 13:43
'Matching' of data (if I understand you correctly) should happen at database level, so before the data reaches your application. Of course, this depends on your specific situation. – pleinolijf Oct 18 '12 at 13:46

How do I define a DataRelation between a DataSet's DataTables on multiple columns?

2 Answers2