Must we use a disconnected model when creating database applications?

Connected or not, you will have exactly the same issue. When you retrieve data from the database, updates made by other users are not automatically sent to those already having a copy.

You need to implement some mechanism like a time stamp to prevent updating what others might have done.

I agree. And thanks for the response. The mechanism that I'd favor is record level locking. I would not expect more than ten multiple concurrent users.

What is the proper syntax for keeping a connection to SqlServer database?  What do i use in place of the dataAdapter.fill command after I open the connection?

it is my understanding that after the fill command, the data connection closes.

How do I invoke record locking?

Thanks!

there is no such as an live connection in ADO.Net. It is not the way to go!

In your table, add an integer field and call it TimeStamp for example. When you read the values, be sure that this field is also read.

When you update the values, add "SET TimeStamp = TimeStamp + 1 WHERE TimeStamp = thevalueyouread". this will ensure that the values you are updating, have not been updated meanwhile.

If you use ExecuteNonQuery, the integer that is returned is the number of rows affected. If it is 0, no records have been updated. https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.data.sqlclient.sqlcommand.executenonquery(v=vs.110).aspx

Ok. Thanks, Eric.

Is this the practices used when working with large databases and many users?

If someone did an update to a record in question to the data table in an application that was not written by me, then the timestamp might be ignored.

This is one of the issues that confuse me. Please forgive my ignorance.

If I go to write changed data and I get a flag that something changed, I would have to see what data element changed and then resolve the issue.So, I would have to loop through every data element to see where the change took place and decide my next action. Or, would I have to return the record to the user, telling him/her that something changed and that they should review their update?

That's why I favor record-level locking. I come from the "old school" of programming databases (VSAM) and I am trying to understand disconnected datasets and data tables and data integrity. This is like a "custody of data" problem.

I am sorry for being so stupid.

Can you help me understand?

Thanks!

Lenny

Thank you, Eric!

Your explanation and caveats are well-respected and very appreciated. Thanks, too, for your very kind treatment and for understanding of my ignorance.

The links further-reinforce your explanations and were very helpful.

Thank you for your assistance in training me properly. You are brilliant!