Check if a record exists in the database
I am using these lines of code to check if the record exists or not.
SqlCommand check_User_Name = new SqlCommand("SELECT * FROM Table WHERE ([user] = '" + txtBox_UserName.Text + "') ", conn);
int UserExist = (int)check_User_Name.ExecuteScalar();
But I am getting an error:
Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
I want to do:
if (UserExist > 0)
// Update record
else
// Insert record
ExecuteScalar
returns the first column of the first row. Other columns or rows are ignored. It looks like your first column of the first row is null
, and that's why you get NullReferenceException
when you try to use the ExecuteScalar
method.
From MSDN;
Return Value
The first column of the first row in the result set, or a null reference if the result set is empty.
You might need to use COUNT
in your statement instead which returns the number of rows affected...
Using parameterized queries is always a good practise. It prevents SQL Injection attacks.
And Table
is a reserved keyword in T-SQL. You should use it with square brackets, like [Table]
also.
As a final suggestion, use the using
statement for dispose your SqlConnection
and SqlCommand
:
SqlCommand check_User_Name = new SqlCommand("SELECT COUNT(*) FROM [Table] WHERE ([user] = @user)" , conn);
check_User_Name.Parameters.AddWithValue("@user", txtBox_UserName.Text);
int UserExist = (int)check_User_Name.ExecuteScalar();
if(UserExist > 0)
{
//Username exist
}
else
{
//Username doesn't exist.
}
The ExecuteScalar method should be used when you are really sure your query returns only one value like below:
SELECT ID FROM USERS WHERE USERNAME = 'SOMENAME'
If you want the whole row then the below code should more appropriate.
SqlCommand check_User_Name = new SqlCommand("SELECT * FROM Table WHERE ([user] = @user)" , conn);
check_User_Name.Parameters.AddWithValue("@user", txtBox_UserName.Text);
SqlDataReader reader = check_User_Name.ExecuteReader();
if(reader.HasRows)
{
//User Exists
}
else
{
//User NOT Exists
}
sqlConnection.Open();
using (var sqlCommand = new SqlCommand("SELECT COUNT(*) FROM Table WHERE ([user] = '" + txtBox_UserName.Text + "'", sqlConnection))
{
SqlDataReader reader = sqlCommand.ExecuteReader();
if (reader.HasRows)
{
lblMessage.Text ="Record Already Exists.";
}
else
{
lblMessage.Text ="Record Not Exists.";
}
reader.Close();
reader.Dispose();
}
sqlConnection.Close();