C# - The SqlDataReader Class

The SqlDataReader class defines a lightweight yet powerful object that is used to read information from a SQL database. A SqlDataReader object has a small footprint, because it doesn't contain more than a single record in memory at any time. This makes it ideal for reading large amounts of data from a database.

Properties and Methods of the SqlDataReader Class

SqlDataReader.FieldCount

Syntax

Int32 FieldCount

Description

The Fieldcount property contains the number of fields in the current record.

Example

int FieldCount;

//Instantiate and open connection object
SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select employee_id, 
          lastname, firstname from Employees", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

//Get FieldCount
FieldCount = reader.FieldCount;

SqlDataReader.IsClosed

Syntax

Boolean IsClosed

Description

The IsClosed property contains True if the SqlDataReader object is closed.

Example

//Instantiate and open connection object
SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select employee_id, 
          lastname, firstname from Employees", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();
if(reader.IsClosed != true){
    //work with reader
}

SqlDataReader.Item

Syntax

Object Item(String name)
Object Item(Int32 i)

Description

The Item property retrieves the value of a column in its native data format.

Example

string message = "";

//Instantiate and open connection object
SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select employee_id, 
          lastname, firstname from Employees", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

//Loop through all records building a string
while(reader.Read()){
    message = message + reader["employee_id"] + " " + reader["lastname"] +
                      ", " + reader["firstname"] + "<br>";
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.RecordsAffected

Syntax

Int32 RecordsAffected

Description

The RecordsAffected property contains the number of records affected by the query.

Example

int RecordsAffected;

//Instantiate and open connection object
SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select employee_id, 
          lastname, firstname from Employees", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

//Get RecordsAffected
RecordsAffected = reader.RecordsAffected;

SqlDataReader.Close()

Syntax

Void Close()

Description

The Close() method closes the SqlDataReader object.

Example

SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetBoolean()

Syntax

Boolean GetBoolean(Int32 i)

Description

The GetBoolean() method returns the value of a specified column as type Boolean.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname, from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

Boolean value;
while(reader.Read()){
    value = reader.GetBoolean(0);
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetByte

Syntax

Byte GetByte(Int32 i)

Description

The GetByte() method returns the value of a specified column as type Byte.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

Byte value;
while(reader.Read()){
    value = reader.GetByte(0);
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetBytes

Syntax

Int32 GetBytes(Int32 i, Int32 dataIndex, Byte[buffer],
                        Int32 bufferIndex, Int32 length)

Description

The GetBytes() method returns the value of a specified column as type Bytes.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

Byte[] value = new Byte[10];
while(reader.Read()){
    reader.GetBytes(0, 0, value, 0, 10);
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetChar()

Syntax

Char GetChar( Int32 i )

Description

The GetChar() method returns the value of a specified column as type Char.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

char value;

while(reader.Read()){
    value = reader.GetChar(0);
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetChars()

Syntax

Int32 GetChars(Int32 i, Int32 dataIndex, Char[] buffer,
                        Int32 bufferIndex, Int32 length)

Description

The GetChars() method returns the value of a specified column as type Char.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

char[] value = new char[10];

while(reader.Read()){
    reader.GetChars(0, 0, value, 0, 10);
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetDataTypeName()

Syntax

String GetDataTypeName(Int32 i)

Description

The GetDataTypeName() method returns a string that contains the data type of the specified field.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

string datatype = reader.GetDataTypeName(0);

reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetDateTime()

Syntax

DateTime GetDateTime(Int32 i)

Description

The GetDateTime() method returns the value of a specified column as type DateTime.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

DateTime value;
while(reader.Read()){
    value = reader.GetDateTime(0);
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetDecimal()

Syntax

Decimal GetDecimal(Int32 i)

Description

The GetDecimal() method returns the value of a specified column as type Decimal.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

decimal value;
while(reader.Read()){
    value = reader.GetDecimal(0);
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetDouble()

Syntax

Double GetDouble(Int32 i)

Description

The GetDouble() method returns the value of a specified column as type Double.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

double value;
while(reader.Read()){
    value = reader.GetDouble(0);
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetFieldType()

Syntax

Type GetFieldType(Int32 i)

Description

The GetFieldType() method returns the type of the specified field.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

Type dataType = reader.GetFieldType(0);

reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetFloat()

Syntax

Single GetFloat(Int32 i)

Description

The GetFloat() method returns the value of a specified column as type Float.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

float value;
while(reader.Read()){
    value = reader.GetFloat(0);
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetGuid()

Syntax

Guid GetGuid(Int32 i)

Description

The GetGuid() method returns the value of a specified column as type Guid.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

Guid value;
while(reader.Read()){
    value = reader.GetGuid(0);
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetInt16()

Syntax

Int16 GetInt16(Int32 i)

Description

The GetInt16() method returns the value of a specified column as type Int16.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

Int16 value;
while(reader.Read()){
    value = reader.GetInt16(0);
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetInt32()

Syntax

Int32 GetInt32(Int32 i)

Description

The GetInt32() method returns the value of a specified column as type Int32.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

Int32 value;
while(reader.Read()){
    value = reader.GetInt32(0);
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetInt64()

Syntax

Int64 GetInt64(Int32 i)

Description

The GetInt64() method returns the value of a specified column as type Int64.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

Int64 value;
while(reader.Read()){
    value = reader.GetInt64(0);
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetName()

Syntax

String GetName(Int32 i)

Description

The GetName() method returns a string that contains the name of the SQL field.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

string fieldname = reader.GetName(0);

reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetOrdinal()

Syntax

Int32 GetOrdinal(String name)

Description

The GetOrdinal() method returns an integer that contains the ordinal number of the specified field.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

int fieldOrdinal = reader.GetOrdinal(fieldname);

reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetSchemaTable()

Syntax

DataTable GetSchemaTable()

Description

The GetSchemaTable() method returns a data table that contains database schema for the SqlCommand object.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

DataTable aTable = reader.GetSchemaTable();

reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetSqlBinary()

Syntax

SqlBinary GetSqlBinary(Int32 i)

Description

The GetSqlBinary() method returns the value of a specified column as type SqlBinary.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

System.Data.SqlTypes.SqlBinary value;

while(reader.Read()){
    value = reader.GetSqlBinary(0);
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetSqlBit()

Syntax

SqlBit GetSqlBit(Int32 i)

Description

The GetSqlBit() method returns the value of a specified column as type SqlBit.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

System.Data.SqlTypes.SqlBit value;
while(reader.Read()){
    value = reader.GetSqlBit(0);
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetSqlByte()

Syntax

SqlByte GetSqlByte(Int32 i)

Description

The GetSqlByte() method returns the value of a specified column as type SqlByte.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

System.Data.SqlTypes.SqlByte value;
while(reader.Read()){
    value = reader.GetSqlByte(0);
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetSqlDateTime()

Syntax

SqlDateTime GetSqlDateTime(Int32 i)

Description

The GetSqlDateTime() method returns the value of a specified column as type SqlDateTime.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

System.Data.SqlTypes.SqlDateTime value;
while(reader.Read()){
    value = reader.GetSqlDateTime(0);
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetSqlDecimal()

Syntax

SqlDecimal GetSqlDecimal(Int32 i)

Description

The GetSqlDecimal() method returns the value of a specified column as type SqlDecimal.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

System.Data.SqlTypes.SqlDecimal value;
while(reader.Read()){
    value = reader.GetSqlDecimal(0);
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetSqlDouble()

Syntax

SqlDouble GetSqlDouble(Int32 i)

Description

The GetSqlDouble() method returns the value of a specified column as type SqlDouble.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

System.Data.SqlTypes.SqlDouble value;
while(reader.Read()){
    value = reader.GetSqlDouble(0);
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetSqlGuid()

Syntax

SqlGuid GetSqlGuid(Int32 i)

Description

The GetSqlGuid() method returns the value of a specified column as type SqlGuid.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

System.Data.SqlTypes.SqlGuid value;
while(reader.Read()){
    value = reader.GetSqlGuid(0);
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetSqlInt16()

Syntax

SqlInt16 GetSqlInt16(Int32 i)

Description

The GetSqlInt16() method returns the value of a specified column as type SqlInt16.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

System.Data.SqlTypes.SqlInt16 value;
while(reader.Read()){
    value = reader.GetSqlInt16(0);
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetSqlInt32()

Syntax

SqlInt32 GetSqlInt32(Int32 i)

Description

The GetSqlInt32() method returns the value of a specified column as type SqlInt32.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

System.Data.SqlTypes.SqlInt32 value;
while(reader.Read()){
    value = reader.GetSqlInt32(0);
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetSqlInt64()

Syntax

SqlInt64 GetSqlInt64(Int32 i)

Description

The GetSqlInt64() method returns the value of a specified column as type SqlInt64.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

System.Data.SqlTypes.SqlInt64 value;
while(reader.Read()){
    value = reader.GetSqlInt64(0);
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetSqlMoney()

Syntax

SqlMoney GetSqlMoney(Int32 i)

Description

The GetSqlMoney() method returns the value of a specified column as type SqlMoney.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

System.Data.SqlTypes.SqlMoney value;
while(reader.Read()){
    value = reader.GetSqlMoney(0);
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetSqlSingle()

Syntax

SqlSingle GetSqlSingle(Int32 i)

Description

The GetSqlSingle() method returns the value of a specified column as type SqlSingle.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

System.Data.SqlTypes.SqlSingle value;
while(reader.Read()){
    value = reader.GetSqlSingle(0);
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetSqlString()

Syntax

SqlString GetSqlString(Int32 i)

Description

The GetSqlString() method returns the value of a specified column as type SqlString.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

System.Data.SqlTypes.SqlString value;
while(reader.Read()){
    value = reader.GetSqlString(0);
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetSqlValue()

Syntax

Object GetSqlValue(Int32 i)

Description

The GetSqlValue() method returns a value of type Object, by using its native SQL data type.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

System.Data.SqlTypes.SqlString value;
while(reader.Read()){
    value = reader.GetSqlValue(0);
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetString()

Syntax

String GetString(Int32 i)

Description

The GetString() method returns the value of a specified column as type String.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

string value;
while(reader.Read()){
    value = reader.GetString(0);
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.GetValue()

Syntax

Object GetValue(Int32 i)

Description

The GetValue() method returns the value of type Object, by using the Microsoft .NET framework types.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

string value;
while(reader.Read()){
    value = reader.GetValue(0);
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.IsDBNull()

Syntax

Boolean IsDBNull(Int32 i)

Description

The IsDBNull() method returns True if the specified column is null and False otherwise.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

string value;
while(reader.Read()){
    if(reader.IsDBNull(0) != true)
        value = reader.GetValue(0);
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.NextResult()

Syntax

Boolean NextResult()

Description

The NextResult() method advances the data reader to the next record. It is used when reading the result of SQL batch statements.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("exec SqlBatch", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

string value;
while(reader.NextResult()){
    value = reader.GetValue(0);
}
reader.Close();

SqlDataReader.Read()

Syntax

Boolean Read()

Description

The Read() method advances the data reader to the next record. It returns True if there are more records and False otherwise.

Example

SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("Data Source=localhost; 
          User Id=sa; Password=; Initial Catalog=northwind");
conn.Open();

//Get command object
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("Select fieldname from aTable", conn);

//Execute reader
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();

string value;
while(reader.Read()){
    value = reader.GetValue(0);
}
reader.Close();