How do I search data in a gridview (data isn't from database) ASP.NET

Question

Most search features of grid view in ASP.NET shows how to search data from a data list that is connected to a database. But my data in my gridview is list of name of books from a folder. It uploads files from folders and save them on visual studio folder, not database. Now I want to search data from the gridview but all solutions are talking about how to search from database. Your help contributes a lot for my web app. I am almost on the last stage to launch it. Thanks.

What I have tried:

I have tried to use datatable javascript (DataTable is a plug-in for the jQuery Javascript library). But since I have another gridview in the same page, the search and other functionalities don't work on the second gridview (That is also another problem to be addressed. Solution is appreciated). That is why I want to use another searching method.

Answer 1

You can create a DataTable and fill it with data that is from anywhere. Then you can bind that to the GridView. Then you can use various possible solutions for searching; either LInQ or the DataTable.Select Method should work. If it is just one table (you can have multiple DataTables in a DataSet and define relationships among them) then you can use a generic collection such as the List<T> Class.

Answer 2

Based on your question, I understand you want to apply search features for a grid, where you loaded items from your file system and based on your input, you are already using DataTable plugin to display the data. Generally, you can have multiple independant instances of these instances in a single page. I found an article that states how you can use multiple datatables in a single page.

https://datatables.net/examples/basic_init/multiple_tables.html

Though this will work, still there are more structured way you can achive this. You can use controls that is specifically designed for .Net applications that helps you bind data and enable standard features. Refer the following sample that shows how to use Syncfusion DataGrid and do searching in the data.

https://ej2.syncfusion.com/aspnetcore/Grid/Search#/bootstrap5

Answer 3

Hi @Tinsae Telu

Alternatively, You can add text box with search click button. You can search in folder and reload the grid view.

Sample:

	private void btnSearch_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)  
        {  
            List<FileList> oLst = new List<FileList>(); // list based on your grid  
  
            string partialName = txtSearch.Text;//search Field  
  
            DirectoryInfo hdDirectoryInWhichToSearch = new DirectoryInfo(@"Directory Location");  
            FileSystemInfo[] filesAndDirs = hdDirectoryInWhichToSearch.GetFileSystemInfos("*" + partialName + "*");  
  
            foreach (FileSystemInfo foundFile in filesAndDirs)  
            {  
                string fullName = foundFile.FullName;  
				 oLst.Add(new FileList // create list based on your gird  
                    {  
                        Name = fileInfo.Name,  
                        Type = "File", //   
                        location = fileInfo.FullName,  
                        Size = Format.ByteSize(fileInfo.Length)  
                    });  
            }  
            dataGridView1.DataSource = oLst;  
        }  

Answer 4

Please make sure your are using the datatable plugins from the below site.

https://datatables.net/examples/basic_init/multiple_tables.html

Then you add a class to your table like following.

<table id="" class="display" style="width:100%">

Now in the .Net code, you do the following.

I just replaced your datatable initiation script with the above one.

Also make sure , you have the link to the datatable js file.

https://cdn.datatables.net/1.11.4/js/jquery.dataTables.min.js and jquery