Use OleDb classes to read data from an Access database

OleDb classes allow you to manipulate data stored in an Access database. In this simple example we see how do I use.

Code:

// Define the connection string
string connectionString =   "Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;Data Source=" +
							Server.MapPath("~/App_Data/Northwind.mdb");
// Define the SELECT command
string selectCommand =   "SELECT Employees.LastName AS Surname, Employees.FirstName  AS Name, Employees.City " +
						 "FROM Employees " +
						 "ORDER BY Employees.LastName";
try
{
	// Create a Connection
	using (OleDbConnection connection = new OleDbConnection(connectionString))
	{
		// Create a DataReader
		OleDbDataReader dataReader = null;

		// Create a Command
		OleDbCommand command = new OleDbCommand(selectCommand, connection);

		connection.Open();

		dataReader = command.ExecuteReader(CommandBehavior.CloseConnection);
		while (dataReader.Read())
		{
			string record = dataReader.GetValue(0).ToString() + " " +
							dataReader.GetValue(1).ToString() + " (" +
							dataReader.GetValue(2).ToString() + ") ";

			Response.Write(record + "<br />");
		}
		dataReader.Close();
		connection.Close();
	}
}
catch (OleDbException excp)
{
	if(debug)
		Response.Write("Error:<br />" + excp.ToString() );
}

The example produces the following result:

Buchanan Steven (London)
Callahan Laura (Seattle)
Davolio Nancy (Seattle)
Dodsworth Anne (London)
Fuller Andrew (Tacoma)
King Robert (London)
Leverling Janet (Kirkland)
Peacock Margaret (Redmond)
Suyama Michael (London)