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/or schema information, as well as to resolve changes to the data at the data source.
Information about loading a DataSet and resolving changes back to the data source can be found in the section Using .NET Framework Data Providers to Access Data, in the following topics:
- Populating a DataSet from a DataAdapter. Describes how to load a DataSet with data from a data source.
- Updating the Database with a DataAdapter and the DataSet. Describes how to resolve changes to the data in a DataSet back to the data source.
- Adding Existing Constraints to a DataSet. Describes how to populate a DataSet with primary key information from a data source.
- Using Parameters with a DataAdapter and Input and Output Parameters, and Return Values. 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 XML and the DataSet.