How to retrieve the count of the number of rows in asp.net mvc from sql database?

Question

I am trying to print something if the number of rows returned is more than 0 based on a query:

using (SqlConnection con = new SqlConnection("ConnectionString")){
  con.Open();
  string query = "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM Some_Table WHERE Val > 5";
  SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand(query, con);
  cmd.ExecuteNonQuery(); // get the value of the count
  if (count > 0) 
  {
    Console.WriteLine("Returned more than 0 rows");
  }
  else
  {
    Console.WriteLine("Did not return more than 0 rows");
  }
  Console.ReadLine();
}

How can I find the number of rows returned?

Answer 1

Your query always return one row even no rows exists. It will return 0 if no rows exists for your WHERE condition

Use SqlCommand.ExecuteScalar Method ()

using (var con = new SqlConnection("ConnectionString"))
{
  con.Open();
  string query = "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM Some_Table WHERE Val > 5";

  using (var cmd = new SqlCommand(query, con))
  {
      int rowsAmount = (int)cmd.ExecuteScalar(); // get the value of the count
      if (rowsAmount > 0) 
      {
          Console.WriteLine("Returned more than 0 rows");
      }
      else
      {
          Console.WriteLine("Did not return more than 0 rows");
      }

      Console.ReadLine();
}

ScalarValue will return first column of first row of query result. So for your query this is more effective method to retrieve information you need.

Answer 2

You can do this, Because ExecuteNonQuery - returns the number of rows affected.

int numberOfRecords = cmd.ExecuteNonQuery();
if (numberOfRecords  > 0) 
{
  Console.WriteLine("Returned more than 0 rows");
}
else
{
    Console.WriteLine("Did not return more than 0 rows");
}