SqlDataReader.Read Method

Definition

Advances the SqlDataReader to the next record.

C#
public override bool Read();
C#
public bool Read();

Returns

true if there are more rows; otherwise false.

Implements

Exceptions

SQL Server returned an error while executing the command text.

Examples

The following example creates a SqlConnection, a SqlCommand, and a SqlDataReader. The example reads through the data, writing it out to the console window. The code then closes the SqlDataReader. The SqlConnection is closed automatically at the end of the using code block.

C#
private static void ReadOrderData(string connectionString)
{
    string queryString =
        "SELECT OrderID, CustomerID FROM dbo.Orders;";

    using (SqlConnection connection =
               new SqlConnection(connectionString))
    {
        SqlCommand command =
            new SqlCommand(queryString, connection);
        connection.Open();

        SqlDataReader reader = command.ExecuteReader();

        // Call Read before accessing data.
        while (reader.Read())
        {
            ReadSingleRow((IDataRecord)reader);
        }

        // Call Close when done reading.
        reader.Close();
    }
}

private static void ReadSingleRow(IDataRecord dataRecord)
{
    Console.WriteLine(String.Format("{0}, {1}", dataRecord[0], dataRecord[1]));
}

Remarks

The default position of the SqlDataReader is before the first record. Therefore, you must call Read to begin accessing any data.

Only one SqlDataReader per associated SqlConnection may be open at a time, and any attempt to open another will fail until the first one is closed. Similarly, while the SqlDataReader is being used, the associated SqlConnection is busy serving it until you call Close.

Applies to

Product Versions
.NET Core 1.0, Core 1.1, 6 (package-provided), 7 (package-provided), 8 (package-provided), 9 (package-provided), 10 (package-provided)
.NET Framework 1.1, 2.0, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 4.5.1, 4.5.2, 4.6, 4.6.1, 4.6.2, 4.7, 4.7.1, 4.7.2, 4.8, 4.8.1
.NET Standard 2.0 (package-provided)

See also