DataSet Vs Xml string

[Modica82]

Hi All,

I am very new to web services, so am struggling to understand exactly what I
am doing with regards to its returns etc. I have been given the task of
designing and developing a web service which will allow external companies,
access to our information. The problem for me is that these companies will
be using different platforms from which to consume our web service. My
question is what I should use as the return type for more complex data
structures. Should I use the intrinsic dataset object and return that,
should I create a typed dataset as then a definitive XML Schema will be
produced, or should I just build and XML string from the information I return
from the database and send that back across.

I know that all the return types are serialized into XML, but does this mean
that they can be accessed when they get to other end?? I would really
appreciate some input here, if anyone can help me understand this that would
be great!

Thanks,

Rob

[erymuzuan]

Take alook at Christian Weyer WS-Contract first, it's good tool for you
to get started in designing web services. Remember services rely on
schema as a contract not type.

BTW, avoid ADO.Net dataset at all cost. It will not work since dataset
is a strongly related to .Net.

regards
erymuzuan mustapa

Modica82 wrote:

Hi All,

I am very new to web services, so am struggling to understand exactly what I
am doing with regards to its returns etc. I have been given the task of
designing and developing a web service which will allow external companies,
access to our information. The problem for me is that these companies will
be using different platforms from which to consume our web service. My
question is what I should use as the return type for more complex data
structures. Should I use the intrinsic dataset object and return that,
should I create a typed dataset as then a definitive XML Schema will be
produced, or should I just build and XML string from the information I return
from the database and send that back across.

I know that all the return types are serialized into XML, but does this mean
that they can be accessed when they get to other end?? I would really
appreciate some input here, if anyone can help me understand this that would
be great!

Thanks,

Rob

[Modica82]

Hi Erymuzuan,

Does this mean i should generate my own XML to send back, again i have not
done loads of XML so this will take some doing, would it be best to send the
XML back with a schema, or just send the XML down the wire as a string?

Rob

"erymuzuan" wrote:

Take alook at Christian Weyer WS-Contract first, it's good tool for you
to get started in designing web services. Remember services rely on
schema as a contract not type.

BTW, avoid ADO.Net dataset at all cost. It will not work since dataset
is a strongly related to .Net.

regards
erymuzuan mustapa

Modica82 wrote:

Hi All,

I am very new to web services, so am struggling to understand exactly what I
am doing with regards to its returns etc. I have been given the task of
designing and developing a web service which will allow external companies,
access to our information. The problem for me is that these companies will
be using different platforms from which to consume our web service. My
question is what I should use as the return type for more complex data
structures. Should I use the intrinsic dataset object and return that,
should I create a typed dataset as then a definitive XML Schema will be
produced, or should I just build and XML string from the information I return
from the database and send that back across.

I know that all the return types are serialized into XML, but does this mean
that they can be accessed when they get to other end?? I would really
appreciate some input here, if anyone can help me understand this that would
be great!

Thanks,

Rob

[SQLScott]

Rob,

In my opinion you should build and return an XML string. In fact, the best
way to do it is to build your xml string and return it as a byte array for
quick performance. Let me know if you'd like a code sample. I have build
several Web Services this way. In fact, I had questions such as yours and I
went straight to Francesco Balena (if you know who he is) and this method was
highly recommended.

This way any company or customer can read it and you are not tied to any
platform or language, that is the beauty of XML.

HOpe this helps.

Scott

"Modica82" wrote:

Hi All,

I am very new to web services, so am struggling to understand exactly what I
am doing with regards to its returns etc. I have been given the task of
designing and developing a web service which will allow external companies,
access to our information. The problem for me is that these companies will
be using different platforms from which to consume our web service. My
question is what I should use as the return type for more complex data
structures. Should I use the intrinsic dataset object and return that,
should I create a typed dataset as then a definitive XML Schema will be
produced, or should I just build and XML string from the information I return
from the database and send that back across.

I know that all the return types are serialized into XML, but does this mean
that they can be accessed when they get to other end?? I would really
appreciate some input here, if anyone can help me understand this that would
be great!

Thanks,

Rob

[erymuzuan]

Not necessarily, the best practive is to design the XML schema for your
web services interface. the use the tool to generate server's web
services stub. or you can use xsd.exe to generate .Net types from your
XML Schema

regards
erymuzuan mustapa

Modica82 wrote:

Hi Erymuzuan,

Does this mean i should generate my own XML to send back, again i have not
done loads of XML so this will take some doing, would it be best to send the
XML back with a schema, or just send the XML down the wire as a string?

Rob

"erymuzuan" wrote:

Take alook at Christian Weyer WS-Contract first, it's good tool for you
to get started in designing web services. Remember services rely on
schema as a contract not type.

BTW, avoid ADO.Net dataset at all cost. It will not work since dataset
is a strongly related to .Net.

regards
erymuzuan mustapa

Modica82 wrote:

Hi All,

I am very new to web services, so am struggling to understand exactly what I
am doing with regards to its returns etc. I have been given the task of
designing and developing a web service which will allow external companies,
access to our information. The problem for me is that these companies will
be using different platforms from which to consume our web service. My
question is what I should use as the return type for more complex data
structures . Should I use the intrinsic dataset object and return that,
should I create a typed dataset as then a definitive XML Schema will be
produced, or should I just build and XML string from the information I return
from the database and send that back across.

I know that all the return types are serialized into XML, but does this mean
that they can be accessed when they get to other end?? I would really
appreciate some input here, if anyone can help me understand this that would
be great!

Thanks,

Rob

[Modica82]

Hi Scott,

I was planning on using the XMLTextWriter class to create XML on the fly and
return it as a string. I have read alot about XML but never really used it
commercially, so i want to get it write (also i have only been at this job a
month and trying to impress :)) Some code samles would be great if you could
send them.

Thanks in Advance,

Rob

"SQLScott" wrote:

Rob,

In my opinion you should build and return an XML string. In fact, the best
way to do it is to build your xml string and return it as a byte array for
quick performance. Let me know if you'd like a code sample. I have build
several Web Services this way. In fact, I had questions such as yours and I
went straight to Francesco Balena (if you know who he is) and this method was
highly recommended.

This way any company or customer can read it and you are not tied to any
platform or language, that is the beauty of XML.

HOpe this helps.

Scott

"Modica82" wrote:

Hi All,

I am very new to web services, so am struggling to understand exactly what I
am doing with regards to its returns etc. I have been given the task of
designing and developing a web service which will allow external companies,
access to our information. The problem for me is that these companies will
be using different platforms from which to consume our web service. My
question is what I should use as the return type for more complex data
structures. Should I use the intrinsic dataset object and return that,
should I create a typed dataset as then a definitive XML Schema will be
produced, or should I just build and XML string from the information I return
from the database and send that back across.

I know that all the return types are serialized into XML, but does this mean
that they can be accessed when they get to other end?? I would really
appreciate some input here, if anyone can help me understand this that would
be great!

Thanks,

Rob

[SQLScott]

Ask and ye shall receive.

Web Service Code:
<WebMethod()> _
Public Function GetData() As Byte()
Dim ms As MemoryStream
Dim xmlms() As Byte

ms = New MemoryStream

'code to get data goes here

'Now create your xml doc
xtw.Formatting = Formatting.Inde nted
xtw.Indentation = 2

xtw.QuoteChar = """"c

xtw.WriteStartD ocument(True)

xtw.WriteCommen t("Data from db")

xtw.WriteStartE lement("Data")

xtw.WriteStartE lement("Employe e")
Dim xtw As New Xml.XmlTextWrit er(ms, System.Text.Enc oding.UTF8)

xtw.WriteElemen tString("FirstN ame", "Evel")
xtw.WriteElemen tString("LastNa me", "Knievel")

xtw.WriteEndEle ment() 'closes the data node
xtw.WriteEndEle ment() 'closes the employee node

xtw.WriteEndDoc ument()

xtw.Flush()
xmlms = ms.ToArray

ms.Close()
xtw.Close()

Return xmlms

End Function

Hope this help!

Scott

"Modica82" wrote:

Hi Scott,

I was planning on using the XMLTextWriter class to create XML on the fly and
return it as a string. I have read alot about XML but never really used it
commercially, so i want to get it write (also i have only been at this job a
month and trying to impress :)) Some code samles would be great if you could
send them.

Thanks in Advance,

Rob

"SQLScott" wrote:

Rob,

In my opinion you should build and return an XML string. In fact, the best
way to do it is to build your xml string and return it as a byte array for
quick performance. Let me know if you'd like a code sample. I have build
several Web Services this way. In fact, I had questions such as yours and I
went straight to Francesco Balena (if you know who he is) and this method was
highly recommended.

This way any company or customer can read it and you are not tied to any
platform or language, that is the beauty of XML.

HOpe this helps.

Scott

"Modica82" wrote:

Hi All,

I am very new to web services, so am struggling to understand exactly what I
am doing with regards to its returns etc. I have been given the task of
designing and developing a web service which will allow external companies,
access to our information. The problem for me is that these companies will
be using different platforms from which to consume our web service. My
question is what I should use as the return type for more complex data
structures. Should I use the intrinsic dataset object and return that,
should I create a typed dataset as then a definitive XML Schema will be
produced, or should I just build and XML string from the information I return
from the database and send that back across.

I know that all the return types are serialized into XML, but does this mean
that they can be accessed when they get to other end?? I would really
appreciate some input here, if anyone can help me understand this that would
be great!

Thanks,

Rob

[Modica82]

Thanks Scott,

Has given me some ideas

Rob

"SQLScott" wrote:

Ask and ye shall receive.

Web Service Code:
<WebMethod()> _
Public Function GetData() As Byte()
Dim ms As MemoryStream
Dim xmlms() As Byte

ms = New MemoryStream

'code to get data goes here

'Now create your xml doc
xtw.Formatting = Formatting.Inde nted
xtw.Indentation = 2

xtw.QuoteChar = """"c

xtw.WriteStartD ocument(True)

xtw.WriteCommen t("Data from db")

xtw.WriteStartE lement("Data")

xtw.WriteStartE lement("Employe e")
Dim xtw As New Xml.XmlTextWrit er(ms, System.Text.Enc oding.UTF8)

xtw.WriteElemen tString("FirstN ame", "Evel")
xtw.WriteElemen tString("LastNa me", "Knievel")

xtw.WriteEndEle ment() 'closes the data node
xtw.WriteEndEle ment() 'closes the employee node

xtw.WriteEndDoc ument()

xtw.Flush()
xmlms = ms.ToArray

ms.Close()
xtw.Close()

Return xmlms

End Function

Hope this help!

Scott

"Modica82" wrote:

Hi Scott,

I was planning on using the XMLTextWriter class to create XML on the fly and
return it as a string. I have read alot about XML but never really used it
commercially, so i want to get it write (also i have only been at this job a
month and trying to impress :)) Some code samles would be great if you could
send them.

Thanks in Advance,

Rob

"SQLScott" wrote:

Rob,

In my opinion you should build and return an XML string. In fact, the best
way to do it is to build your xml string and return it as a byte array for
quick performance. Let me know if you'd like a code sample. I have build
several Web Services this way. In fact, I had questions such as yours and I
went straight to Francesco Balena (if you know who he is) and this method was
highly recommended.

This way any company or customer can read it and you are not tied to any
platform or language, that is the beauty of XML.

HOpe this helps.

Scott

"Modica82" wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> I am very new to web services, so am struggling to understand exactly what I
> am doing with regards to its returns etc. I have been given the task of
> designing and developing a web service which will allow external companies,
> access to our information. The problem for me is that these companies will
> be using different platforms from which to consume our web service. My
> question is what I should use as the return type for more complex data
> structures. Should I use the intrinsic dataset object and return that,
> should I create a typed dataset as then a definitive XML Schema will be
> produced, or should I just build and XML string from the information I return
> from the database and send that back across.
>
> I know that all the return types are serialized into XML, but does this mean
> that they can be accessed when they get to other end?? I would really
> appreciate some input here, if anyone can help me understand this that would
> be great!
>
> Thanks,
>
> Rob
>

[SQLScott]

OK, let me know if you have any question.

There is a copy/paste error in the code below. The "Dim xtw As New
Xml.XmlTextWrit er(ms, System.Text.Enc oding.UTF8)" statement should go with
the rest of the other Dim statements.

Sorry about that.

Scott

"Modica82" wrote:

Thanks Scott,

Has given me some ideas

Rob

"SQLScott" wrote:

Ask and ye shall receive.

Web Service Code:
<WebMethod()> _
Public Function GetData() As Byte()
Dim ms As MemoryStream
Dim xmlms() As Byte

ms = New MemoryStream

'code to get data goes here

'Now create your xml doc
xtw.Formatting = Formatting.Inde nted
xtw.Indentation = 2

xtw.QuoteChar = """"c

xtw.WriteStartD ocument(True)

xtw.WriteCommen t("Data from db")

xtw.WriteStartE lement("Data")

xtw.WriteStartE lement("Employe e")
Dim xtw As New Xml.XmlTextWrit er(ms, System.Text.Enc oding.UTF8)

xtw.WriteElemen tString("FirstN ame", "Evel")
xtw.WriteElemen tString("LastNa me", "Knievel")

xtw.WriteEndEle ment() 'closes the data node
xtw.WriteEndEle ment() 'closes the employee node

xtw.WriteEndDoc ument()

xtw.Flush()
xmlms = ms.ToArray

ms.Close()
xtw.Close()

Return xmlms

End Function

Hope this help!

Scott

"Modica82" wrote:

Hi Scott,

I was planning on using the XMLTextWriter class to create XML on the fly and
return it as a string. I have read alot about XML but never really used it
commercially, so i want to get it write (also i have only been at this job a
month and trying to impress :)) Some code samles would be great if you could
send them.

Thanks in Advance,

Rob

"SQLScott" wrote:

> Rob,
>
> In my opinion you should build and return an XML string. In fact, the best
> way to do it is to build your xml string and return it as a byte array for
> quick performance. Let me know if you'd like a code sample. I have build
> several Web Services this way. In fact, I had questions such as yours and I
> went straight to Francesco Balena (if you know who he is) and this method was
> highly recommended.
>
> This way any company or customer can read it and you are not tied to any
> platform or language, that is the beauty of XML.
>
> HOpe this helps.
>
> Scott
>
> "Modica82" wrote:
>
> > Hi All,
> >
> > I am very new to web services, so am struggling to understand exactly what I
> > am doing with regards to its returns etc. I have been given the task of
> > designing and developing a web service which will allow external companies,
> > access to our information. The problem for me is that these companies will
> > be using different platforms from which to consume our web service. My
> > question is what I should use as the return type for more complex data
> > structures. Should I use the intrinsic dataset object and return that,
> > should I create a typed dataset as then a definitive XML Schema will be
> > produced, or should I just build and XML string from the information I return
> > from the database and send that back across.
> >
> > I know that all the return types are serialized into XML, but does this mean
> > that they can be accessed when they get to other end?? I would really
> > appreciate some input here, if anyone can help me understand this that would
> > be great!
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Rob
> >

[Modica82]

Thanks again Scott,

I do have a quick question, but you may or may not have the answer, have you
ever created any sort of schema(xsd) to be passed back with your XML, if so
how did you do it?

Thanks in advance,

Rob

"Modica82" wrote:

Hi Scott,

I was planning on using the XMLTextWriter class to create XML on the fly and
return it as a string. I have read alot about XML but never really used it
commercially, so i want to get it write (also i have only been at this job a
month and trying to impress :)) Some code samles would be great if you could
send them.

Thanks in Advance,

Rob

"SQLScott" wrote:

Rob,

In my opinion you should build and return an XML string. In fact, the best
way to do it is to build your xml string and return it as a byte array for
quick performance. Let me know if you'd like a code sample. I have build
several Web Services this way. In fact, I had questions such as yours and I
went straight to Francesco Balena (if you know who he is) and this method was
highly recommended.

This way any company or customer can read it and you are not tied to any
platform or language, that is the beauty of XML.

HOpe this helps.

Scott

"Modica82" wrote:

Hi All,

I am very new to web services, so am struggling to understand exactly what I
am doing with regards to its returns etc. I have been given the task of
designing and developing a web service which will allow external companies,
access to our information. The problem for me is that these companies will
be using different platforms from which to consume our web service. My
question is what I should use as the return type for more complex data
structures. Should I use the intrinsic dataset object and return that,
should I create a typed dataset as then a definitive XML Schema will be
produced, or should I just build and XML string from the information I return
from the database and send that back across.

I know that all the return types are serialized into XML, but does this mean
that they can be accessed when they get to other end?? I would really
appreciate some input here, if anyone can help me understand this that would
be great!

Thanks,

Rob