Using Table Type Datasets

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To use a table type dataset

1. Place the appropriate dataset component in a data module or on a form, and set its Name property to a unique value appropriate to your application.
2. Identify the database server that contains the table you want to use. Each table type dataset does this differently, but typically you specify a database connection component:
   • For TTable, specify a TDatabase component or a BDE alias using the DatabaseName property.
   • For TADOTable, specify a TADOConnection component using the Connection property.
   • For TSQLTable, specify a TSQLConnection component using the SQLConnection property.
   • For TIBDataSet, specify a TIBDatabase component using the database property.
3. Set the TableName property to the name of the table in the database. You can select tables from a drop-down list if you have already identified a database connection component. For the TIBDataSet component, set the CommandText property to select data from the database table.
4. Place a data source component in the data module or on the form, and set its DataSet property to the name of the dataset. The data source component is used to pass a result set from the dataset to data-aware components for display.

Advantages of using table type datasets

The main advantage of using table type datasets is the availability of indexes. Indexes enable your application to

• Sort the Records in the Dataset.
• Locate Records Quickly.
• Limit the Records That are Visible.
• Establish Master/Detail Relationships.

In addition, the one-to-one relationship between table type datasets and database tables enables many of them to be used for

• Controlling Read/Write Access To Tables
• Creating and Deleting Tables
• Emptying Tables
• Synchronizing Tables

See Also

• Using Query-type Datasets
• Using Stored Procedure-type Datasets