programming .NET using XML file

**Nazi370** · 01-08-2009, 08:41 AM

Hello

i am wonder if i can use visual basic .NET for programming an XML as database.

is there any walk through or tutorial..

thanks a lot

**witnesstheday** · 10:00 AM

WOAH. Tricky name, dude. Nazirul is a beautiful name indeed, but shorten it to Nazi and we are in difficulties. Are you not aware of the german socialist party in the 1930s and the terrible things it did? Why shorten it anyway?

I just had to say that. I don't know anything about vb.

**Nazi370** · 01-09-2009, 01:55 AM

lol..
Nazirul - my Name
370 - is the last number of my student ID ..

* i dont have any relation with the socialist party..

anyway i managed to use XML as database using .NET application.. is it possible? thanx

**boomers** · 01-11-2009, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by witnesstheday

WOAH. Tricky name, dude. Nazirul is a beautiful name indeed, but shorten it to Nazi and we are in difficulties. Are you not aware of the german socialist party in the 1930s and the terrible things it did? Why shorten it anyway?

I just had to say that. I don't know anything about vb.

So why not just PM the guy if you felt so compelled about his name...

Nazi370: Have you solved your issue? From the last post you made I couldn't tell. It is indeed possible, I cant say Ive done it myself but I know of a large number of apps and websites that do this. If you search for something along the lines of 'read and write XML' then you're at a good starting position.

Hope it goes well, and maybe post something to let us know how you do...

**Nazi370** · 01-15-2009, 03:53 AM

yeahh i found one that i think quite interesting...

it is using .xml files where the .NET (C#) can manipulate it either to add new xml data, edit or delete..

Code:

EditXmlWithDataGrid.aspx     Font Size:

*ASPX Source: *     EditXmlWithDataGrid.aspx
<srcview.aspx?path=../../codebank/System_Data/DataSet/EditXmlWithDataGrid/EditXmlWithDataGrid.src&file=EditXmlWithDataGrid.aspx&font=3>
  

*© 2003 Wahlin Consulting*


<http://a.lakequincy.com/c.ashx?channel=1&format=1&pageid=8B8683E8-6C9E-A989-5E4F-C3347A857820&publisher=23&ypos=134&zone=1&country=MY&placement=2973&creative=2028&>



<%@ Page Language="VB" Debug="true" Inherits="System.Web.UI.Page" %>
<%@ Import Namespace="System.Data" %>
<%@ Import Namespace="System.IO" %>

<HTML>
<script language="VB" runat="server"> 
' 02/14/02 -Enhancements to original version by Paul Chu 
' 1. add code to support sorting
' 2. add code to support actual Updating and Deleting of XML data
' 3. add code to use javascript to confirm delete 
' 4. insert a blank top at the top of datagrid - add code to add a new row
' 5. Modify update and delete eventhandlers to update XML file using dataset
' Blank Row in Datagrid Concept
' A datagrid is bound to a datasource e.g.datatables which
' has rows of data to disply.
' If we add a new row of data to the datatable then it will
' also show in the datagrid. 
' This basic concept enables us to use the datagrid to update a new row
' and the current eventhandler code will handle the "insert"
' just like an update of an existing datarow in the dataset.
' The trick is that the new row in the dataset is all we need
' to update to fool the datagrid.

' ========================================

    Dim gXmlfile As String = "books.xml"  ' <============ your file
dim gXmlPath as string

' =================================

Sub Page_Load(Src As Object, E As EventArgs) 

    gxmlpath = server.mappath( gXmlfile ) 'file is in same folder as page
    
    If Not (IsPostBack) 
        DataLoad("isbn") '-- sort by ISBN 
    End If 
End Sub 

' ========================================

Sub DataLoad(parmsort as string) 
    Dim ds As New DataSet 
    Dim FS As New FileStream(Server.MapPath(gXmlFile), FileMode.Open) 
    ds.ReadXml(FS)

    ' 02/14/02 pchu  handle an empty file ---------------------------
    if  ds.tables.count = 0  then
        ds.tables.add( MakeBooksTable() )
    end if 
    trace.warn ( "rowcount1 = " , cstr(ds.Tables(0).rows.count ))        

    ' 02/14/02 pchu ---------------------------
    ' Add code to sort the dataview if parmsort is present

    'ok let's get fancy and insert a blank row at the top 
    dim sw1 as integer = 1
    select case sw1
        case 1
            dim dr as datarow = ds.Tables(0).newrow()
            'put something in the first column ISBN
            dr("ISBN") = "   Add ISBN"
            ds.Tables(0).rows.insertat(dr, 0)
    trace.warn ( "rowcount2 = " , cstr(ds.Tables(0).rows.count ))        
    end select        
            
    'create dv and bind it to datagrid        
    dim dv as dataview
    dv =  new DataView(ds.Tables(0)) 
    if  parmsort.length > 0 then
        dv.sort =  parmsort
    end if

    

        MyDataGrid.DataSource = dv
'old        MyDataGrid.DataSource = new DataView(ds.Tables(0)) 
' 02/14/02 pchu ---------------------------

        MyDataGrid.DataBind() 
        FS.close() 
END SUB 

' ========================================

Sub DataSort(Src As Object, E As DataGridSortCommandEventArgs) 
    ' Bug if we sort, then Edit Item Becomes Wrong 
        If MyDataGrid.EditItemIndex = -1 Then
            DataLoad(E.SortExpression)
        Else
            Response.Write("Can't sort until editing is done!")
        End If
End Sub 

' ========================================

Sub DataDelete(Sender As Object, E As DataGridCommandEventArgs) 
    dim deletekey as string 
    If MyDataGrid.EditItemIndex=-1 Then 
        deletekey=MyDataGrid.DataKeys(CInt(E.Item.ItemIndex)) 
        response.write ("Delete completed for key = " & deletekey) 
    Else 
        response.write ("Can't delete until editing is done!") 
    End If 

  
    ''    Dim currentRow As Integer = e.Item.DataSetIndex
        Dim currentRow As Integer = e.Item.itemindex

    '02/16/02 BugFix: because the datagrid has an insert row which is NOT in the
    ' in the dataset table, we have to subtract one to compensate for the that fact
            currentrow = currentrow - 1 'bug fix: subtract 1 because the grid has a insert row
              
    trace.warn (" current row to delete ", cstr(currentrow) )        
    ' reload the XML file into a dataset
    Dim ds As New DataSet()
    ds.ReadXml(Server.MapPath(gXmlFile))

    ' get a reference to this row of data
    Dim row As DataRow = ds.Tables(0).Rows( currentrow )

    row.delete()  '-- kill this row in the dataset (disabled for example)

    ' save the updated dataset to the XML file
    ds.WriteXml(Server.MapPath(gXmlFile))

    mydatagrid.EditItemIndex = -1  'exit delete mode

    dataload("")    ' redisplay and rebind datagrid    
    
END SUB 

' ========================================

Sub DataEdit(Sender As Object, E As DataGridCommandEventArgs) 
    DIM editkey as string 
    trace.warn ("e.item.itemindex = ", cstr(e.item.itemindex) )    
    MyDataGrid.EditItemIndex = Cint(E.Item.ItemIndex  )     
    editkey=MyDataGrid.DataKeys(CInt(E.Item.ItemIndex)) 
    trace.warn ("page.aspx", "To Be Edited" & editkey) 
    SetEditMode( "on" )
    DataLoad("") 
End Sub 

' ========================================

Sub DataCancel(Sender As Object, E As DataGridCommandEventArgs) 
    MyDataGrid.EditItemIndex = -1 
    trace.warn ("page.aspx", "edit was cancelled") 
    SetEditMode( "off" )    
    DataLoad("") 
End Sub 

'====================================================

Public Sub DataUpdate(ByVal source As Object, ByVal e _
 As System.Web.UI.WebControls.DataGridCommandEventArgs) 

    'This eventhandler will process both an Update and a Add because in both
    ' cases the dataset has an existing row to "update", because we added a
    ' dummy row to the dataset table for the add

    Dim cols As String() = {"isbn", "author", "title", "category", "comments"}

    Dim numCols As Integer = e.Item.Cells.Count
    Dim currentRow As Integer = e.Item.DataSetIndex
    ' reload the XML file into a dataset
    Dim ds As New DataSet()
    ds.ReadXml(Server.MapPath(gXmlFile))
    dim row as datarow 
        
    trace.warn("update row = ", currentrow.tostring()  )
    trace.warn("datasetindex row = ", e.Item.DataSetIndex.tostring()  )


    ' 02/14/02 pchu  handle an empty file ---------------------------
    if  ds.tables.count = 0  then
        ds.tables.add( MakeBooksTable() )
    end if 

        
    if currentrow = 0 then
        row = ds.tables(0).newrow()
    else
        Row = ds.Tables(0).Rows(e.Item.DataSetIndex - 1) 'need to sub 1 because we have an inserted row
    end if

    ' get a reference to this row of data
    ''Dim row As DataRow = ds.Tables(0).Rows(e.Item.DataSetIndex)

    ' get the values and update the datarow
    Dim I, J As Integer
    j = -1
    Trace.Warn("aspx.page", "numcols = " & CStr(numCols))
    For I = 2 To numCols - 1 'skip first and 2nd columns (Edit/Delete command column)
        j += 1
        Dim currentTextBox As TextBox
        currentTextBox = CType(e.Item.Cells(I).Controls(0), TextBox )
        row(cols(j)) = currentTextBox.Text
        Trace.Warn(I.ToString(), CStr(cols(j)) & " = " & currentTextBox.Text)
    Next

    if currentrow = 0 then
        ds.tables(0).rows.insertat(row, 0 )
    end if

    ' save the updated data as the XML file
    ds.WriteXml(Server.MapPath(gXmlFile))

    mydatagrid.EditItemIndex = -1

    SetEditMode( "off" )

    dataload("")
End Sub

' ===================================
public sub dg_itemcreated ( sender as object, e as datagriditemeventargs )

    '-- add logic to modify EDIT and Suppress the Delete
    if  e.item.itemindex = 0 then 'first row
        'reference the delete button
        '???????????????????? can we use FindControl here to locate controls
        dim lbDelete as linkbutton = e.item.cells(0).controls(0)
        dim lbEdit as linkbutton = e.item.cells(1).controls(0)

        trace.warn ("page.aspx", "lbDelete = " & lbDelete.text )    
        trace.warn ("page.aspx", "lbEdit = " & lbEdit.text )
        if lbDelete.text = "Delete Book" then
            lbDelete.text = ""
        end if        
        if lbEdit.text = "Edit" then
            lbEdit.text = "AddNew"
        end if        
        if lbEdit.text = "Update" then
            lbEdit.text = "Insert"
        end if        
    end if

    if  e.item.itemindex > 0 then 'first row
        select case e.item.itemtype
            case listitemtype.item
                dim mydeletebutton as tablecell
                mydeletebutton = e.item.cells(0)    
                mydeletebutton.attributes.add("onclick", _
                "return confirm('Are you sure you want to Delete?');" )
            case listitemtype.alternatingitem
                dim mydeletebutton as tablecell
                mydeletebutton = e.item.cells(0)    
                mydeletebutton.attributes.add("onclick", _
                "return confirm('Are you sure you want to Delete?');" )
                    
        end select
    end if  
end sub

' =========================

sub SetEditMode ( state as string)
    select case state
        case "on"
            MyDataGrid.columns(0).visible = False    'Hide Delete Column
        case else
            MyDataGrid.columns(0).visible = True    'Show Delete Column
    end select        
end sub

' ========================================

Private Function MakeBooksTable() As DataTable
    ' theColumn.DefaultValue = "Fname"
    ' Dim fNameColumn As DataColumn = New DataColumn()
    ' idColumn.AutoIncrement = True

    ' Create a new DataTable titled 'Books.'
    Dim theTable As DataTable = new DataTable("Books") 
    ' Add three column objects to the table.
    Dim theColumn1 As DataColumn = new  DataColumn()
    theColumn1.DataType = System.Type.GetType("System.String")
    theColumn1.ColumnName = "isbn"
    theTable.Columns.Add(theColumn1)

    Dim theColumn2 As DataColumn = new  DataColumn()
    theColumn2.DataType = System.Type.GetType("System.String")
    theColumn2.ColumnName = "author"
    theTable.Columns.Add(theColumn2)

    Dim theColumn3 As DataColumn = new  DataColumn()
    theColumn3.DataType = System.Type.GetType("System.String")
    theColumn3.ColumnName = "title"
    theTable.Columns.Add(theColumn3)

    Dim theColumn4 As DataColumn = new  DataColumn()
    theColumn4.DataType = System.Type.GetType("System.String")
    theColumn4.ColumnName = "category"
    theTable.Columns.Add(theColumn4)

    Dim theColumn5 As DataColumn = new  DataColumn()
    theColumn5.DataType = System.Type.GetType("System.String")
    theColumn5.ColumnName = "comments"
    theTable.Columns.Add(theColumn5)

    ' Create an array for DataColumn objects.
    Dim keys(0) As DataColumn 
    keys(0) = theColumn1
    theTable.PrimaryKey = keys
    ' Return the new DataTable.
    MakeBooksTable = theTable
 End Function

' ========================================
</script> 
<!-- =================================================== --> 
<body> 
<h3><font face="Verdana">The Best Books Ever: Enhanced Version 2 by Paul Chu</font> 
<span runat="server" id="MySpan"></h3>
<h2>Updateable Datagrid with Blank Row update file: Books.xml</h2> 

<form runat="server">
<P> 
<ASP:DataGrid id="MyDataGrid" runat="server" 
AllowSorting="True" 
OnSortCommand="DataSort" 
OnDeleteCommand="DataDelete" 
OnEditCommand="DataEdit" 
OnCancelCommand="DataCancel" 
OnUpdateCommand="DataUpdate" 
DataKeyField="isbn" 
Width="100%" 
BackColor="White" 
BorderColor="Black" 
CellPadding=3 
Font-Name="Verdana" 
Font-Size="8pt" 
Headerstyle-BackColor="lightblue" 
Headerstyle-Font-Size="10pt" 
Headerstyle-Font-Style="bold" 
MaintainState="true" 
Font-Names="Verdana"
onitemcreated="dg_itemcreated"    
>
<HeaderStyle Font-Size="10pt" BackColor="LightBlue">
</HeaderStyle>
<Columns>
<asp:ButtonColumn Text="Delete Book" CommandName="Delete"></asp:ButtonColumn>
<asp:EditCommandColumn ButtonType="LinkButton" UpdateText="Update" CancelText="Cancel" EditText="Edit">
<ItemStyle Wrap="False">
</ItemStyle>
</asp:EditCommandColumn>
</Columns> 
</ASP:DataGrid></P>
</form></SPAN> 
</body>
</HTML>