Question

How to handle double quotes in database data queries

Asked by: dr_roose

Hi All,
I have several text fields in a database table where it is probably that at some time someone will put double quotes in the text.  Since the data in sql queries is delimited by double quote characters, double quotes in the text data causes the query to fail.  The below code is the sub that generates and runs the query.

Is there any way to get around this short of modifying the text to delete double quotes or make them two double quotes which the query seem to handle?

Thanks
dr_roose

Private Sub UpdateRecord()
    Dim sql As String = "UPDATE contacts SET "
    sql = sql & "first = """ & TB1.Text & """"
    sql = sql & ", last = """ & TB2.Text & """"
    sql = sql & ", phone = """ & TB3.Text & """"
    sql = sql & ", mobile = """ & TB4.Text & """"
    sql = sql & ", email = """ & TB5.Text & """"
    sql = sql & ", problem = """ & RTB1.Text & """"
    sql = sql & ", notes = """ & RTB2.Text & """"
    sql = sql & " WHERE id = " & TB10.Text
    Dim connection As New MySqlConnection(connStr2)
    Dim cmd As New MySqlCommand(sql, connection)
    connection.Open()
    Try
      cmd.ExecuteNonQuery()
      connection.Close()
      doUpdate = False
      Call LoadGrid()
    Catch
      MsgBox("Cannot update database!  Please remove all double quotes """""""from all text fields.")
    End Try
  End Sub

                                  
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Asked On
2009-08-20 at 19:02:04ID24670164
Tags

vb richtextbox mysql

Topics

VB Database Programming

,

SQL Query Syntax

Participating Experts
3
Points
500
Comments
6

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Answers

 

by: dougaugPosted on 2009-08-20 at 21:02:48ID: 25149071

Depending on what database you are using, you can enclosing strings in single quotes (only if your fields don't have single quotes in their values).

Regards

Private Sub UpdateRecord()
    Dim sql As String = "UPDATE contacts SET "
    sql = sql & "first = '" & TB1.Text & "'"
    sql = sql & ", last = '" & TB2.Text & "'"
    sql = sql & ", phone = '" & TB3.Text & "'"
    sql = sql & ", mobile = '" & TB4.Text & "'"
    sql = sql & ", email = '" & TB5.Text & "'"
    sql = sql & ", problem = '" & RTB1.Text & "'"
    sql = sql & ", notes = '" & RTB2.Text & "'"
    sql = sql & " WHERE id = " & TB10.Text
    Dim connection As New MySqlConnection(connStr2)
    Dim cmd As New MySqlCommand(sql, connection)
    connection.Open()
      cmd.ExecuteNonQuery()
      connection.Close()
      doUpdate = False
      Call LoadGrid()
  End Sub
                                              
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by: angelIIIPosted on 2009-08-20 at 22:52:33ID: 25149352

by far the better solution is to use parameters.
here a tutorial: www.csharp-station.com/Tutorials/AdoDotNet/Lesson06.aspx
you can go back and forth in the tutorial

 

by: JDettmanPosted on 2009-08-21 at 05:34:54ID: 25151111

You have toi be carefull witht he single quotes, usually with last names as you might see something like "O'Connor" as a name.

Another alternative which gets around this is to use the Chr$() function to supply the quote:

   Dim sql As String

    sql = "UPDATE contacts SET  first = " & chr$(34) TB1.Text & chr$(34) & ", last = " & chr$(34) & TB2.Text & chr$(34) &

etc.

JimD.

 

by: dr_roosePosted on 2009-08-30 at 11:36:33ID: 25218651

Hi again,
Been away for a couple of days.  I have a question about parameters.  If you set a parameter equal to a textbox.text, how does that protect you from malicious input?

Thanks
Dick

 

by: angelIIIPosted on 2009-08-30 at 11:39:13ID: 25218665

it protects you because the parameter object handles the quotes etc for you.

 

by: dr_roosePosted on 2009-09-10 at 19:53:33ID: 31618664

Thanks much

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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