Using a DataSet with Existing Data
The DataSet is an in-memory relational representation of data that is independent of any data source. However, the DataSet can be used in conjunction with existing data in a data source when used with a .NET Framework data provider. A .NET Framework data provider uses a DataAdapter to fill the DataSet with data and schema information, as well as to resolve changes to the data at the data source.
See the following topics for more information about loading a DataSet and resolving changes back to the data source:
Populating a DataSet from a DataAdapter. This topic describes how to load a DataSet with data from a data source.
Updating Data Sources with DataAdapters. This topic describes how to resolve changes to the data in a DataSet back to the data source.
Adding Existing Constraints to a DataSet. This topic describes how to populate a DataSet with primary key information from a data source.
Using Parameters with a DataAdapter and Specifying Parameters and Return Values. These topics describe how to associate columns from tables in a DataSet to input and output parameters from commands executed at a data source.
The DataSet can also read and write existing XML data. For more information, see Using XML in a DataSet.