Walkthrough: Connecting to Data in Objects

Data Access in Client and Middle-Tier Programming

This walkthrough shows how to create objects to hold customer and order data, and then create an object data source based on these objects. The object data source appears in the Data Sources window where items are dragged onto a form to create controls bound to the data in the object's public properties. The walkthrough also shows how to use TableAdapters to fetch data from the database and populate the objects.

The object data source is created by running the Data Source Configuration Wizard and selecting Object as the type of data source. After you complete the Data Source Configuration Wizard, the public properties of the object are available in the Data Sources Window for dragging onto your form.

Note:
You need to build the project that contains your object in order for it to appear in the Data Source Configuration Wizard. If your object is not available to the wizard, rebuild the project that contains the desired object(s).

Tasks illustrated in this walkthrough include:

Creating a new Windows Application project.
Creating sample objects to represent customers and orders.
Creating and configuring an object data source in your application based on the sample objects using the Data Source Configuration Wizard.
Adding controls to a form that are bound to the data in the custom objects.
Creating a dataset with TableAdapter's to move data between your objects and the database.
Editing a TableAdapter's main query.
Adding queries to a TableAdapter.
Populating your objects with data from the database.

Creating the Project

To create the new Windows Application project

From the File menu, create a New Project.
Create a Windows Application named ObjectBindingWalkthrough and click OK. For more information, see Creating Windows-Based Applications.
The ObjectBindingWalkthrough project is created and added to Solution Explorer.

This walkthrough needs some objects to bind to, so the first step is to create some sample objects to represent customers and orders. To represent customers we will create a Customer object that represents a single customer. To represent orders we will create an Order object, which represents a single order, and an Orders object, which represents a collection of Order objects. For the collection of Customer objects we will use the built-in collection in the BindingSource class (explained later in this walkthrough).

Creating the Customer Object

To create the Customer object

On the Project menu, click Add Class.
Name the new class Customer and click Add.

Replace the code in the Customer class file with the following code:

Note:
The Customer object contains an ordersCollection property of the type Orders. The editor will display a message stating Type 'Orders' is not defined. This message is expected and will disappear when you create the Order and Orders classes in the next section.

Visual Basic

''' <summary>
''' A single customer
''' </summary>
Public Class Customer

    Public Sub New()
    End Sub

    ''' <summary>
    ''' Creates a new customer
    ''' </summary>
    ''' <param name="customerId">The ID that uniquely identifies this customer</param>
    ''' <param name="companyName">The name for this customer</param>
    ''' <param name="contactName">The name for this customer's contact</param>
    ''' <param name="contactTitle">The title for this contact</param>
    ''' <param name="address">The address for this customer</param>
    ''' <param name="city">The city for this customer</param>
    ''' <param name="region">The region for this customer</param>
    ''' <param name="postalCode">The postal code for this customer</param>
    ''' <param name="country">The country for this customer</param>
    ''' <param name="phone">The phone number for this customer</param>
    ''' <param name="fax">The fax number for this customer</param>
    Public Sub New(ByVal customerId As String, _
                   ByVal companyName As String, _
                   ByVal contactName As String, _
                   ByVal contactTitle As String, _
                   ByVal address As String, _
                   ByVal city As String, _
                   ByVal region As String, _
                   ByVal postalCode As String, _
                   ByVal country As String, _
                   ByVal phone As String, _
                   ByVal fax As String)
        customerIDValue = customerId
        companyNameValue = companyName
        contactNameValue = contactName
        contactTitleValue = contactTitle
        addressValue = address
        cityValue = city
        regionValue = region
        postalCodeValue = postalCode
        countryValue = country
        phoneValue = phone
        faxValue = fax
    End Sub

    Private customerIDValue As String
    ''' <summary>
    ''' The ID that uniquely identifies this customer
    ''' </summary>
    Public Property CustomerID() As String
        Get
            Return customerIDValue
        End Get
        Set(ByVal value As String)
            customerIDValue = value
        End Set
    End Property

    Private companyNameValue As String
    ''' <summary>
    ''' The name for this customer
    ''' </summary>
    Public Property CompanyName() As String
        Get
            Return companyNameValue
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As String)
            companyNameValue = Value
        End Set
    End Property

    Private contactNameValue As String
    ''' <summary>
    ''' The name for this customer's contact
    ''' </summary>
    Public Property ContactName() As String
        Get
            Return contactNameValue
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As String)
            contactNameValue = Value
        End Set
    End Property

    Private contactTitleValue As String
    ''' <summary>
    ''' The title for this contact
    ''' </summary>
    Public Property ContactTitle() As String
        Get
            Return contactTitleValue
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As String)
            contactTitleValue = Value
        End Set
    End Property

    Private addressValue As String
    ''' <summary>
    ''' The address for this customer
    ''' </summary>
    Public Property Address() As String
        Get
            Return addressValue
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As String)
            addressValue = Value
        End Set
    End Property

    Private cityValue As String
    ''' <summary>
    ''' The city for this customer
    ''' </summary>
    Public Property City() As String
        Get
            Return cityValue
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As String)
            cityValue = Value
        End Set
    End Property

    Private regionValue As String
    ''' <summary>
    ''' The region for this customer
    ''' </summary>
    Public Property Region() As String
        Get
            Return regionValue
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As String)
            regionValue = Value
        End Set
    End Property

    Private postalCodeValue As String
    ''' <summary>
    ''' The postal code for this customer
    ''' </summary>
    Public Property PostalCode() As String
        Get
            Return postalCodeValue
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As String)
            postalCodeValue = Value
        End Set
    End Property

    Private countryValue As String
    ''' <summary>
    ''' The country for this customer
    ''' </summary>
    Public Property Country() As String
        Get
            Return countryValue
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As String)
            countryValue = Value
        End Set
    End Property


    Private phoneValue As String
    ''' <summary>
    ''' The phone number for this customer
    ''' </summary>
    Public Property Phone() As String
        Get
            Return phoneValue
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As String)
            phoneValue = Value
        End Set
    End Property

    Private faxValue As String
    ''' <summary>
    ''' The fax number for this customer
    ''' </summary>
    Public Property Fax() As String
        Get
            Return faxValue
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As String)
            faxValue = Value
        End Set
    End Property

    Private ordersCollection As New System.ComponentModel.BindingList(Of Order)
    ''' <summary>
    ''' The orders for this customer
    ''' </summary>
    Public Property Orders() As System.ComponentModel.BindingList(Of Order)
        Get
            Return ordersCollection
        End Get
        Set(ByVal value As System.ComponentModel.BindingList(Of Order))
            ordersCollection = value
        End Set
    End Property


    Public Overrides Function ToString() As String
        Return Me.CompanyName & " (" & Me.CustomerID & ")"
    End Function

End Class

namespace ObjectBindingWalkthrough
{
    /// <summary>
    /// A single customer
    /// </summary>
    public class Customer
    {
        /// <summary>
        /// Creates a new customer
        /// </summary>
        public Customer()
        {
        }

        /// <summary>
        /// Creates a new customer
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="customerID"></param>
        /// <param name="companyName"></param>
        /// <param name="contactName"></param>
        /// <param name="contactTitle"></param>
        /// <param name="address"></param>
        /// <param name="city"></param>
        /// <param name="region"></param>
        /// <param name="postalCode"></param>
        /// <param name="country"></param>
        /// <param name="phone"></param>
        /// <param name="fax"></param>
        public Customer(string customerID, string companyName,
           string contactName, string contactTitle,
           string address, string city, string region,
           string postalCode, string country,
           string phone, string fax)
        {
            customerIDValue = customerID;
        }

        private string customerIDValue;
        /// <summary>
        /// The ID that uniquely identifies this customer
        /// </summary>
        public string CustomerID
        {
            get { return customerIDValue; }
            set { customerIDValue = value; }
        }

        private string companyNameValue;
        /// <summary>
        /// The name for this customer
        /// </summary>
        public string CompanyName
        {
            get { return companyNameValue; }
            set { companyNameValue = value; }
        }

        private string contactNameValue;
        /// <summary>
        /// The name for this customer's contact
        /// </summary>
        public string ContactName
        {
            get { return contactNameValue; }
            set { contactNameValue = value; }
        }

        private string contactTitleValue;
        /// <summary>
        /// The title for this contact
        /// </summary>
        public string ContactTitle
        {
            get { return contactTitleValue; }
            set { contactTitleValue = value; }
        }

        private string addressValue;
        /// <summary>
        /// The address for this customer
        /// </summary>
        public string Address
        {
            get { return addressValue; }
            set { addressValue = value; }
        }

        private string cityValue;
        /// <summary>
        /// The city for this customer
        /// </summary>
        public string City
        {
            get { return cityValue; }
            set { cityValue = value; }
        }

        private string regionValue;
        /// <summary>
        /// The region for this customer
        /// </summary>
        public string Region
        {
            get { return regionValue; }
            set { regionValue = value; }
        }

        private string postalCodeValue;
        /// <summary>
        /// The postal code for this customer
        /// </summary>
        public string PostalCode
        {
            get { return postalCodeValue; }
            set { postalCodeValue = value; }
        }

        private string countryValue;
        /// <summary>
        /// The country for this customer
        /// </summary>
        public string Country
        {
            get { return countryValue; }
            set { countryValue = value; }
        }

        private string phoneValue;
        /// <summary>
        /// The phone number for this customer
        /// </summary>
        public string Phone
        {
            get { return phoneValue; }
            set { phoneValue = value; }
        }

        private string faxValue;
        /// <summary>
        /// The fax number for this customer
        /// </summary>
        public string Fax
        {
            get { return faxValue; }
            set { faxValue = value; }
        }

        private System.ComponentModel.BindingList<Order> ordersCollection = 
            new System.ComponentModel.BindingList<Order>();

        public System.ComponentModel.BindingList<Order> Orders
        {
            get { return ordersCollection; }
            set { ordersCollection = value; }
        }

        public override string ToString()
        {
            return this.CompanyName + " (" + this.CustomerID + ")";
        }
    }
}

Creating the Order Objects

To create the Order object and Orders collection

On the Project menu, select Add Class.
Name the new class Order and click Add.

Replace the code in the Order class file with the following code:

using System;

namespace ObjectBindingWalkthrough
{
    /// <summary>
    /// A single order
    /// </summary>
    public class Order
    {
        /// <summary>
        /// Creates a new order
        /// </summary>
        public Order()
        {
        }

        /// <summary>
        /// Creates a new order
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="orderid"></param>
        /// <param name="customerID"></param>
        /// <param name="employeeID"></param>
        /// <param name="orderDate"></param>
        /// <param name="requiredDate"></param>
        /// <param name="shippedDate"></param>
        /// <param name="shipVia"></param>
        /// <param name="freight"></param>
        /// <param name="shipName"></param>
        /// <param name="shipAddress"></param>
        /// <param name="shipCity"></param>
        /// <param name="shipRegion"></param>
        /// <param name="shipPostalCode"></param>
        /// <param name="shipCountry"></param>
        public Order(int orderid, string customerID,
           Nullable<int> employeeID, Nullable<DateTime> orderDate,
           Nullable<DateTime> requiredDate, Nullable<DateTime> shippedDate,
           Nullable<int> shipVia, Nullable<decimal> freight,
           string shipName, string shipAddress,
           string shipCity, string shipRegion,
           string shipPostalCode, string shipCountry)
        {

        }

        private int orderIDValue;
        /// <summary>
        /// The ID that uniquely identifies this order
        /// </summary>
        public int OrderID
        {
            get { return orderIDValue; }
            set { orderIDValue = value; }
        }

        private string customerIDValue;
        /// <summary>
        /// The customer who placed this order
        /// </summary>
        public string CustomerID
        {
            get { return customerIDValue; }
            set { customerIDValue = value; }
        }

        private Nullable<int> employeeIDValue;
        /// <summary>
        /// The ID of the employee who took this order
        /// </summary>
        public Nullable<int> EmployeeID
        {
            get { return employeeIDValue; }
            set { employeeIDValue = value; }
        }

        private Nullable<DateTime> orderDateValue;
        /// <summary>
        /// The date this order was placed
        /// </summary>
        public Nullable<DateTime> OrderDate
        {
            get { return orderDateValue; }
            set { orderDateValue = value; }
        }

        private Nullable<DateTime> requiredDateValue;
        /// <summary>
        /// The date this order is required
        /// </summary>
        public Nullable<DateTime> RequiredDate
        {
            get { return requiredDateValue; }
            set { requiredDateValue = value; }
        }

        private Nullable<DateTime> shippedDateValue;
        /// <summary>
        /// The date this order was shipped
        /// </summary>
        public Nullable<DateTime> ShippedDate
        {
            get { return shippedDateValue; }
            set { shippedDateValue = value; }
        }

        private Nullable<int> shipViaValue;
        /// <summary>
        /// The shipping method of this order
        /// </summary>
        public Nullable<int> ShipVia
        {
            get { return shipViaValue; }
            set { shipViaValue = value; }
        }

        private Nullable<decimal> freightValue;
        /// <summary>
        /// The freight charge for this order
        /// </summary>
        public Nullable<decimal> Freight
        {
            get { return freightValue; }
            set { freightValue = value; }
        }

        private string shipNameValue;
        /// <summary>
        /// The name of the recipient for this order
        /// </summary>
        public string ShipName
        {
            get { return shipNameValue; }
            set { shipNameValue = value; }
        }

        private string shipAddressValue;
        /// <summary>
        /// The address to ship this order to
        /// </summary>
        public string ShipAddress
        {
            get { return shipAddressValue; }
            set { shipAddressValue = value; }
        }

        private string shipCityValue;
        /// <summary>
        /// The city to ship this order to
        /// </summary>
        public string ShipCity
        {
            get { return shipCityValue; }
            set { shipCityValue = value; }
        }

        private string shipRegionValue;
        /// <summary>
        /// The region to ship this order to
        /// </summary>
        public string ShipRegion
        {
            get { return shipRegionValue; }
            set { shipRegionValue = value; }
        }

        private string shipPostalCodeValue;
        /// <summary>
        /// The postal code to ship this order to
        /// </summary>
        public string ShipPostalCode
        {
            get { return shipPostalCodeValue; }
            set { shipPostalCodeValue = value; }
        }

        private string shipCountryValue;
        /// <summary>
        /// The country to ship this order to
        /// </summary>
        public string ShipCountry
        {
            get { return shipCountryValue; }
            set { shipCountryValue = value; }
        }

    }


    /// <summary>
    /// A collection of Order objects
    /// </summary>
    class Orders : System.ComponentModel.BindingList<Order>
    {

    }
}

From the File menu, choose Save All.

Creating the Object Data Source

You can create a data source based on the objects created in the previous step by running the Data Source Configuration Wizard.

To create the object data source

Open the Data Sources window by clicking the Data menu and choosing Show Data Sources.
Click Add New Data Source in the Data Sources window.
Select Object on the Choose a Data Source Type page, and click Next.

Expand the ObjectBindingWalkthrough nodes and select the Customer object.

Note:
If the Customer object is not available, click Cancel, then select Build ObjectBindingWalkthrough from the Build menu. After successfully building the project, restart the wizard (step 2) and the custom objects will appear.

Click Finish.
The Customer object appears in the Data Sources window.

Creating a Data-bound Form

Controls bound to the Customer object are created by dragging items from the Data Sources window onto a form.

To create a form with controls bound to the object properties

In Solution Explorer, select Form1, and click View Designer.
Drag the Customer node from the Data Sources window onto Form1.
Expand the Customer node and drag the Orders node from the Data Sources window onto Form1.

Creating TableAdapters to Load Data from the Database into the Custom Objects

To move data between the objects and the database, we are going to use TableAdapters. You can create TableAdapters for the Customers and Orders tables using the Data Source Configuration Wizard.

To create the TableAdapters

From the Data menu, choose Add New Data Source.
Select Database on the Choose a Data Source Type page.
On the Choose your Data Connection page, do one of the following:
- If a data connection to the Northwind sample database is available in the drop-down list, select it.
  -or-
- Select New Connection to configure a new data connection to the Northwind database. For more information, see How to: Create Connections to SQL Server Databases or How to: Create Connections to Access Databases.
Click Next on the Save connection string to the Application Configuration file page.
Expand the Tables node on the Choose your Database Objects page.
Select the Customers and Orders tables, and then click Finish.
The NorthwindDataSet is added to your project and the Customers and Orders tables appear in the Data Sources window under the NorthwindDataSet node.

Adding the Dataset and TableAdapters to Form1

You can add instances of the CustomersTableAdapter, OrdersTableAdapter, and NorthwindDataSet to the form by dragging their representative components from the Toolbox.

To fill the Customer objects with data from the Customers table

From the Build menu, choose Build Solution.
Drag a NorthwindDataSet from the Toolbox onto Form1.
Drag a CustomersTableAdapter from the Toolbox onto Form1.
Drag an OrdersTableAdapter from the Toolbox onto Form1.

Adding a Query to the CustomersTableAdapter to Return Only a Few Customers

In real-world applications, you will likely never return an entire table of data. For this walkthrough we will return the top five customers.

Note:
You would typically pass in a parameter to select which customers you want to return, but for brevity in this walkthrough we will hard-code the query to return only five customers and eliminate the need of creating a user interface for inputting parameter values.

To add an additional query to the CustomersTableAdapter

In Solution Explorer, double-click the NorthwindDataSet.xsd file.
The NorthwindDataSet opens in the Dataset Designer.
Right-click the CustomersTableAdapter and select Add Query.
The TableAdapter Query Configuration Wizard opens.
Leave the default of Use SQL statements and click Next.
Leave the default of SELECT which returns rows and click Next.

Replace the SQL statement with the following and click Next:

SELECT Top 5 CustomerID, CompanyName, ContactName, ContactTitle, Address, 
City, Region, PostalCode, Country, Phone, Fax 
FROM Customers

Clear the Fill a DataTable check box.
Name the Return a DataTable method GetTop5Customers and click Finish.
The GetTop5Customers query is added to the CustomersTableAdapter.

Modifying the Query on the OrdersTableAdapter To Return Only Orders for the Desired Customer

When fetching orders from the database, we do not want to return the entire table of orders; we only want the orders for a specific customer. The following procedure details how to reconfigure a TableAdapter with a new query (as opposed to adding an additional query as we did to the CustomersTableAdapter in the previous step).

To reconfigure the TableAdapter's main query to return a single customer's orders

Right-click the OrdersTableAdapter and choose Configure.
The TableAdapter Query Configuration Wizard opens.

Replace the SQL statement with the following and click Next:

SELECT OrderID, CustomerID, EmployeeID, OrderDate, 
RequiredDate, ShippedDate, ShipVia, Freight, 
ShipName, ShipAddress, ShipCity, ShipRegion, 
ShipPostalCode, ShipCountry 
FROM Orders 
WHERE CustomerID = @CustomerID

Clear the Fill a DataTable check box.
Name the Return a DataTable method GetDataByCustomerID and click Finish.
The OrdersTableAdapter's main Fill query is replaced with the GetDataByCustomerID query.
Build the project by choosing Build Solution from the Build menu.

Adding Code to Load Data into the Customer and Order Objects

To load data into our custom objects, you execute the TableAdapter queries that return new data tables (as opposed to TableAdapter queries that fill existing data tables). The code then loops through the table and populates each Customer object with the customer information, as well as populating all orders in each Customer.Orders collection. Notice how each Customer object is added to the CustomerBindingSource's internal collection (CustomerBindingSource.Add(currentCustomer)); that is, the BindingSource provides a built-in strongly typed collection of Customers accessible through the List property.

To load the objects with data

In Solution Explorer, select Form1, and click View Code.

Replace the code in Form1 with the following code:

Visual Basic

Public Class Form1
    Private Sub LoadCustomers()
        Dim customerData As NorthwindDataSet.CustomersDataTable = _
            CustomersTableAdapter1.GetTop5Customers()

        Dim customerRow As NorthwindDataSet.CustomersRow

        For Each customerRow In customerData
            Dim currentCustomer As New Customer()
            With currentCustomer

                .CustomerID = customerRow.CustomerID
                .CompanyName = customerRow.CompanyName

                If Not customerRow.IsAddressNull Then
                    .Address = customerRow.Address
                End If

                If Not customerRow.IsCityNull Then
                    .City = customerRow.City
                End If

                If Not customerRow.IsContactNameNull Then
                    .ContactName = customerRow.ContactName
                End If

                If Not customerRow.IsContactTitleNull Then
                    .ContactTitle = customerRow.ContactTitle
                End If

                If Not customerRow.IsCountryNull Then
                    .Country = customerRow.Country
                End If

                If Not customerRow.IsFaxNull Then
                    .Fax = customerRow.Fax
                End If

                If Not customerRow.IsPhoneNull Then
                    .Phone = customerRow.Phone
                End If

                If Not customerRow.IsPostalCodeNull Then
                    .PostalCode = customerRow.PostalCode
                End If

                If Not customerRow.Is_RegionNull Then
                    .Region = customerRow._Region
                End If

            End With

            LoadOrders(currentCustomer)
            CustomerBindingSource.Add(currentCustomer)
        Next
    End Sub

    Private Sub LoadOrders(ByRef currentCustomer As Customer)
        Dim orderData As NorthwindDataSet.OrdersDataTable = _
            OrdersTableAdapter1.GetDataByCustomerID(currentCustomer.CustomerID)

        Dim orderRow As NorthwindDataSet.OrdersRow

        For Each orderRow In orderData
            Dim currentOrder As New Order()
            With currentOrder
                .OrderID = orderRow.OrderID
                .Customer = currentCustomer

                If Not orderRow.IsCustomerIDNull Then
                    .CustomerID = orderRow.CustomerID
                End If

                If Not orderRow.IsEmployeeIDNull Then
                    .EmployeeID = orderRow.EmployeeID
                End If

                If Not orderRow.IsFreightNull Then
                    .Freight = orderRow.Freight
                End If

                If Not orderRow.IsOrderDateNull Then
                    .OrderDate = orderRow.OrderDate
                End If

                If Not orderRow.IsRequiredDateNull Then
                    .RequiredDate = orderRow.RequiredDate
                End If

                If Not orderRow.IsShipAddressNull Then
                    .ShipAddress = orderRow.ShipAddress
                End If

                If Not orderRow.IsShipCityNull Then
                    .ShipCity = orderRow.ShipCity
                End If

                If Not orderRow.IsShipCountryNull Then
                    .ShipCountry = orderRow.ShipCountry
                End If

                If Not orderRow.IsShipNameNull Then
                    .ShipName = orderRow.ShipName
                End If

                If Not orderRow.IsShippedDateNull Then
                    .ShippedDate = orderRow.ShippedDate
                End If

                If Not orderRow.IsShipPostalCodeNull Then
                    .ShipPostalCode = orderRow.ShipPostalCode
                End If

                If Not orderRow.IsShipRegionNull Then
                    .ShipRegion = orderRow.ShipRegion
                End If

                If Not orderRow.IsShipViaNull Then
                    .ShipVia = orderRow.ShipVia
                End If
            End With
            currentCustomer.Orders.Add(currentOrder)
        Next

    End Sub

    Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) _
        Handles MyBase.Load

        LoadCustomers()
    End Sub
End Class

using System;
using System.Windows.Forms;

namespace ObjectBindingWalkthrough
{
    public partial class Form1 : Form
    {
        public Form1()
        {
            InitializeComponent();
            this.Load += Form1_Load;
        }

        private void LoadCustomers()
        {
            NorthwindDataSet.CustomersDataTable customerData = 
                customersTableAdapter1.GetTop5Customers();

            foreach (NorthwindDataSet.CustomersRow customerRow in customerData)
            {
                Customer currentCustomer = new Customer();
                currentCustomer.CustomerID = customerRow.CustomerID;
                currentCustomer.CompanyName = customerRow.CompanyName;

                if (customerRow.IsAddressNull() == false)
                {
                    currentCustomer.Address = customerRow.Address;
                }

                if (customerRow.IsCityNull() == false)
                {
                    currentCustomer.City = customerRow.City;
                }

                if (customerRow.IsContactNameNull() == false)
                {
                    currentCustomer.ContactName = customerRow.ContactName;
                }

                if (customerRow.IsContactTitleNull() == false)
                {
                    currentCustomer.ContactTitle = customerRow.ContactTitle;
                }

                if (customerRow.IsCountryNull() == false)
                {
                    currentCustomer.Country = customerRow.Country;
                }

                if (customerRow.IsFaxNull() == false)
                {
                    currentCustomer.Fax = customerRow.Fax;
                }

                if (customerRow.IsPhoneNull() == false)
                {
                    currentCustomer.Phone = customerRow.Phone;
                }

                if (customerRow.IsPostalCodeNull() == false)
                {
                    currentCustomer.PostalCode = customerRow.PostalCode;
                }

                if (customerRow.IsRegionNull() == false)
                {
                    currentCustomer.Region = customerRow.Region;
                }

                LoadOrders(currentCustomer);
                customerBindingSource.Add(currentCustomer);
            }
        }


        private void LoadOrders(Customer currentCustomer)
        {
            NorthwindDataSet.OrdersDataTable orderData = 
                ordersTableAdapter1.GetDataByCustomerID(currentCustomer.CustomerID);

            foreach (NorthwindDataSet.OrdersRow orderRow in orderData)
            {
                Order currentOrder = new Order();
                currentOrder.OrderID = orderRow.OrderID;

                if (orderRow.IsCustomerIDNull() == false)
                {
                    currentOrder.CustomerID = orderRow.CustomerID;
                }

                if (orderRow.IsEmployeeIDNull() == false)
                {
                    currentOrder.EmployeeID = orderRow.EmployeeID;
                }

                if (orderRow.IsFreightNull() == false)
                {
                    currentOrder.Freight = orderRow.Freight;
                }

                if (orderRow.IsOrderDateNull() == false)
                {
                    currentOrder.OrderDate = orderRow.OrderDate;
                }

                if (orderRow.IsRequiredDateNull() == false)
                {
                    currentOrder.RequiredDate = orderRow.RequiredDate;
                }

                if (orderRow.IsShipAddressNull() == false)
                {
                    currentOrder.ShipAddress = orderRow.ShipAddress;
                }

                if (orderRow.IsShipCityNull() == false)
                {
                    currentOrder.ShipCity = orderRow.ShipCity;
                }

                if (orderRow.IsShipCountryNull() == false)
                {
                    currentOrder.ShipCountry = orderRow.ShipCountry;
                }

                if (orderRow.IsShipNameNull() == false)
                {
                    currentOrder.ShipName = orderRow.ShipName;
                }

                if (orderRow.IsShippedDateNull() == false)
                {
                    currentOrder.ShippedDate = orderRow.ShippedDate;
                }

                if (orderRow.IsShipPostalCodeNull() == false)
                {
                    currentOrder.ShipPostalCode = orderRow.ShipPostalCode;
                }

                if (orderRow.IsShipRegionNull() == false)
                {
                    currentOrder.ShipRegion = orderRow.ShipRegion;
                }

                if (orderRow.IsShipViaNull() == false)
                {
                    currentOrder.ShipVia = orderRow.ShipVia;
                }
                currentCustomer.Orders.Add(currentOrder);
            }
        }

        private void Form1_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            LoadCustomers();
        }

    }
}

Testing the Application

To test the application

Press F5 to run the application.
The form opens and the DataGridView controls are populated with the sample data.
Navigate the customers in the DataGridView to display their associated orders.

Next Steps

To add functionality to your application

Add code to send data from the custom objects back to the database. For more information, see How to: Directly Access the Database with a TableAdapter.
Rearrange the columns in the DataGridView by selecting Edit Columns on the DataGridView smart tag.

Concepts

Object Binding in Visual Studio

Other Resources

Connecting to Data in Visual Studio

Preparing Your Application to Receive Data

Fetching Data into Your Application

Displaying Data on Forms in Windows Applications

Editing Data in Your Application

Saving Data

Data Walkthroughs