Data Entry With a Data Grid (SQL)

Introduction

If you have used tables in SQL Server, Microsoft Access, Paradox, and other database environments, you probably know that their tables automatically save data as the user changes records and moves through cells. Although it is one of the most regularly used objects of databases in Microsoft Visual .NET, the DataGrid control doesn't inherently provide this functionality, but for a good reason. By default, the DataGrid control is not meant for databases only. When a DataGrid control displays data, it allows a user to enter new data but doesn't save it.

Data entered in a DataGrid is extremely easy to save. This is simply taken care of by calling the Update method of your data adapter.

Practical Learning: Performing Data Entry

1. Open SQL Data Analyzer
2. If you haven't yet (only if you haven't), create the AlleyTechno database
3. If you haven't yet (only if you haven't), create the Departments table
4. If you haven't yet (only if you haven't), create the Employees table
5. Open Visual C++ .NET and create a new Windows Forms Application named DataEntry1
6. From Server Explorer, open the server that holds the above database then expand the AlleyTechno database followed by the Tables node
7. Drag the Employees table and drop it on the form
8. Right-click the newly added sqlDataAdapter1 and click Generate Dataset...
9. While the New radio button is selected, change the name of the dataset to dsEmployees
    
   
10. Click OK
11. From the Toolbox, click DataGrid and click the form
12. Move the DataGrid control to the upper-left section of the form and set its Anchor property to Top, Bottom, Left, Right
13. Right-click the DataGrid and click Auto Format
14. In the Auto Format dialog box, select Colorful 2
     
    
15. Click OK
16. Set the DataGrid control's Data Source to dsEmployees1.Employees
     
    
17. Double-click an empty area of the form and change the Load event as follows:
     

    private: System::Void Form1_Load(System::Object * sender, System::EventArgs * e) { this->sqlDataAdapter1->Fill(this->dsEmployees1); }

18. Press Ctrl + F5 to test the application
19. Enter a new record and navigate to a different record. Close the form and execute the application again. Notice that the record you added was not saved
20. To allow the user to create a new record and/or to update new changes, on the form, click the DataGrid control
21. In the Properties window, click the Events button
22. Double-click the CurrentCellChanged event and implement it as follows:
     

    private: System::Void dataGrid1_CurrentCellChanged(System::Object * sender, System::EventArgs * e) { this->sqlDataAdapter1->Update(this->dsEmployees1); }

23. Press Ctrl + F5 to test the application
24. Create a new record by entering new information