Using SQL Server 2000 and above versions you can retrieve data from SQL Server in XML format directly from the database. Many XML related features were incorporated in the SQL Server database. This enables the development of XML enabled applications very easy and it makes exchange of data over internet easy. In this article we will discuss about how to use SQLXML to retrieve data directly from SQL server database in XML format.
There are some SQL commands and clauses that help you to retrieve data from the SQL Server in the XML format. Syntax for such is given below:
SELECT ... FOR XML mode [, XMLDATA] [, ELEMENTS] [, BINARY BASE64]
There are different modes and that take the values of
· AUTO ? In this mode every row of the result of the query forms an element in the returned XML document.
· EXPLICIT ? This mode defines how to map the columns of the results returned by the query to the XML elements and the attributes.
· RAW - All the fields of the result are identified as attributes of an element.
· NESTED ? The result of this mode is the same as the AUTO mode but the formatting has to be done at the client side.
A simple example of using the above syntax is given below:
SELECT TOP 3 * FROM (SELECT FirstName+' '+LastName as Name FROM Employees) FOR XML AUTO
The query produces this result:
Employees Name="John Peter"
Employees Name="Andrew Dixon"
Employees Name="Tom Hanks"
There are optional parameters in the 'FOR XML mode' clause. The XMLDATA option adds an XSD schema which describes the XML format of the result returned. The ELEMENTS options make the fields of the tables in the database to be returned as child elements. If the ELEMENTS option is not there the fields of the tables are returned as attributes instead of child elements of the XML document. The ELEMENTS option is allowed only in the AUTO mode. The BINARY BASE64 option is used to retrieve any binary data. The returned binary data is returned in BASE64 encoded format. The binary data can be retrieved in the RAW or EXPLICIT mode.
An example of the RAW mode is given below:
SELECT EmpName, EmpCity from EMP for XML RAW
The above code returns a result like,
row EmpName="John" EmpCity="New York"
In the above result you can note that the fields of the resultset are returned as attributes of the element.
.Net provides with managed classes for interacting with SQL Server. The managed classes of SQLXML provided by .Net are:
· SqlXmlCommand ? This is used to perform queries that are stored in XML documents which are also called XML templates. This class also provides support for client side XML processing.
· SqlXmlParameter ? this is used to provide parameterized values and is used along with SqlXmlCommand object.
· SqlXmlAdapter ? this is the adapter class for SQLXML provider. This is used to fill the dataset.
· SqlXmlException ? this is used to trap the error information from the SQL Server.
A sample code using the managed classes is given below. For detailed information on the usage of the above managed classes you can refer to the MSDN documentation.
static string cstr = "Provider=SQLOLEDB;Server=(local);database=EmpPersonal;"; public static void testingSqlXml () {
Stream oStr = Console.OpenStandardOutput();
SqlXmlCommand sqlcmd = new SqlXmlCommand(cstr);
sqlcmd.Root = "Employees";
sqlcmd.CommandType = SqlXmlCommandType.Sql;
sqlcmd.CommandText = "SELECT EmpName, EmpCity FROM Employees FOR XML AUTO";
strm = sqlcmd.ExecuteToStream(oStr);
oStr.Close(); }
Thus we have seen that SQLXML can be used to retrieve data directly from the SQL Server in XML format. It is easy to handle and transmit data through the internet if it is in the XML format and this can be easily achieved using the SQLXML.
Want to stay current with the latest technology developments realted to XML. Visit Free XML Tutorial to get your FREE subscription now!
** Attention Webmasters / Website Owners ** You can reprint this article on your website as long as you do not modify any of the content, and include our resource box as listed above with all links intact and hyperlinked properly.
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
I recently got an e-mail asking about virtual memory. The... Read More
I do a holiday letter every year and send them... Read More
Ad Blocking is getting to be a common sport on... Read More
Feeling overwhelmed in selecting a new TV? With all the... Read More
I have a p3 500MHz PC with 128MB RAM, 10.2... Read More
"Automated Testing" is automating the manual testing process currently in... Read More
Webmasters usually sit at their computers much longer in a... Read More
With the bewildering number of digital cameras on the market,... Read More
In the first part of this home lab tutorial, CCNA... Read More
When browsing the internet you are likely to come across... Read More
I am going to assume that you are running windows... Read More
Tip #1. Do a Google search. Don't be to general... Read More
ASR (Automated System Recovery) is a feature available on the... Read More
Flash mp3 players come with an exciting array of features,... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions is on the way to popularize it's... Read More
Choose Not To ConformPalm pilots and pdas are constantly growing... Read More
Cameras: still known for taking pictures but assumed as digital... Read More
That desk in front of you and everything else around... Read More
Confused by EDTV vs HDTV? We don't blame you. The... Read More
We have just entered the time of year that most... Read More
After reading this good article you will know some important... Read More
First things first, what is Firefox? Well, it's a browser.... Read More
It seems like fast never quite rates fast enough.No matter... Read More
A friend told me: "My computer startup seems to be... Read More
On 21 August 2003 Symantec Security Response upgraded the W32.SOBIG.F... Read More
1. Let your PC boot up completely before opening any... Read More
Winter?the official start of the cold and flu season. Though,... Read More
As the owner of a Country Mall and Top Site... Read More
Your Bible At Your FingertipsIt is fairly easy to find... Read More
Your first step in removing dangerous infections from your computer... Read More
JPEG, GIFF/JIFF, BMP, and TIFF are the most commonly used... Read More
CCNAs and CCNA candidates hear it all the time: â??Get... Read More
Digital Video Disc or as it is sometimes referred to... Read More
Feeling overwhelmed in selecting a new TV? With all the... Read More
Everywhere you look today people are listening to personal audio... Read More
With the bewildering number of digital cameras on the market,... Read More
Tip #1 -- Rebates: A rebate is not always a... Read More
In the early days, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) were not... Read More
Do you know how many fonts are currently installed on... Read More
The basic language of the internet is html. If you... Read More
Millions have enjoyed recorded music since 1877 when Thomas Edison... Read More
As the owner of a Country Mall and Top Site... Read More
Yes, it's true. You may have inadvertently invited a spy... Read More
If you utilize a computer at home or work it... Read More
CCNA FAQQ. What exams do I have to take to... Read More
The Internet can be a dangerous place.While you're enjoying the... Read More
Plasma and LCD TVs are the latest trend in home... Read More
There are soooo many choices. With all the styles and... Read More
Just The Facts, Ma'mPalm pilots are all the rage now.... Read More
After another security hole recently surfaced in Microsoft's Windows operating... Read More
While most small businesses really do need to find a... Read More
Computers are everywhere, and vary in specification, brands, sizes, shaped,... Read More
All over the world, people carry with them walkmans and... Read More
If you've been kicking around the idea of building your... Read More
Cookies, not the kind that Mom makes, but the computer... Read More
You use Ctrl+Alt+Del to see what's running on your PC,... Read More
Webmasters usually sit at their computers much longer in a... Read More
If you don't have an mp3 player, and even if... Read More
ASR (Automated System Recovery) is a feature available on the... Read More
OK, so you caught a computer virus and your system... Read More
Many computer users are worried about their computer's performance. After... Read More
Stimulus thru Caffiene or Visual Input?It appears that the Mobi... Read More
How can you compare mp3 players to be sure you're... Read More
A computer needs a certain amount of information to operate;... Read More
For six years, my Samsung PC 13.8 inch SyncMaster conventional... Read More
We have just entered the time of year that most... Read More
Personal Technology |