ForeignKeyConstraint Class

A ForeignKeyConstraint restricts the action performed when a value in a column (or columns) is either deleted or updated. Such a constraint is intended to be used with primary key columns. In a parent/child relationship between two tables, deleting a value from the parent table can affect the child rows in one of the following ways.

• The child rows can also be deleted (a cascading action).

• The values in the child column (or columns) can be set to null values.

• The values in the child column (or columns) can be set to default values.

• An exception can be generated.

ForeignKeyConstraint objects are contained in the ConstraintCollection of a DataTable, which is accessed through the Constraints property.

Constraints are not enforced unless the EnforceConstraints property is set to true.

The AcceptRejectRule is enforced whenever a DataTable object's AcceptChanges method is invoked.

The following example creates a ForeignKeyConstraint, sets some of its properties, and adds it to a DataTable object's ConstraintCollection.

' The next line goes into the Declarations section of the module:
' SuppliersProducts is a class derived from DataSet.
Private suppliersProducts As SuppliersProducts

Private Sub CreateConstraint()
    ' Declare parent column and child column variables.
    Dim parentColumn As DataColumn
    Dim childColumn As DataColumn
    Dim fkeyConstraint As ForeignKeyConstraint

    ' Set parent and child column variables.
    parentColumn = suppliersProducts.Tables("Suppliers").Columns("SupplierID")
    childColumn = suppliersProducts.Tables("Products").Columns("SupplierID")
    fkeyConstraint = New ForeignKeyConstraint( _
        "SupplierFKConstraint", parentColumn, childColumn)

    ' Set null values when a value is deleted.
    fkeyConstraint.DeleteRule = Rule.SetNull
    fkeyConstraint.UpdateRule = Rule.Cascade
    fkeyConstraint.AcceptRejectRule = AcceptRejectRule.Cascade

    ' Add the constraint, and set EnforceConstraints to true.
    suppliersProducts.Tables("Products").Constraints.Add(fkeyConstraint)
    suppliersProducts.EnforceConstraints = True
End Sub

.NET Framework

.NET Framework Client Profile

Windows 7, Windows Vista SP1 or later, Windows XP SP3, Windows XP SP2 x64 Edition, Windows Server 2008 (Server Core not supported), Windows Server 2008 R2 (Server Core supported with SP1 or later), Windows Server 2003 SP2

This type is safe for multithreaded read operations. You must synchronize any write operations.

Reference