DataTable Extensions Group

The DataTableExtensions group contains extension methods that operate on IDataTable. These helpers focus on table schema operations (adding/cloning columns), row lifecycle operations (create, add, delete, remove, accept/reject changes), row lookup/index building, conversion helpers (to arrays/lists and detached copies), and merging refreshed tables into existing ones using a configurable merge strategy.

Purpose of DataTableExtensions

• Simplify building and evolving table schemas (columns and metadata).
• Provide readable, intention-revealing helpers for adding and removing rows with correct state handling.
• Offer utility operations for selection, cloning, and row indexing to support UI and processing layers.
• Support synchronization scenarios at table scope (merging refreshed table data into the current table).

Typical Capabilities

• Add single or multiple columns and ensure existing rows contain newly added columns (AddColumn, AddColumns, EnsureExistingRowsHaveColumn).
• Build a table schema from a POCO interface definition (AddColumnsFromInterface).
• Create and add rows that match the table schema (AddNewRow).
• Delete and remove rows with consistent intent (DeleteRow, DeleteRowAt, RemoveRow).
• Accept or reject changes at table scope (AcceptChanges/RejectChanges).
• Clone table schema and/or rows from another table (Clone, CloneColumnsFrom, CloneRowsFrom).
• Build an index for fast row lookup (for example by key columns) (BuildDataRowIndex).
• Convert rows to arrays/lists, including detached copies (ToArray, ToList, ToDetachedArray, ToDetachedList).
• Merge refreshed table data into the current table using IMergeOptions (MergeWith).

Notes

• BuildDataRowIndex is for performance. Use it when you need repeated lookups without iterating all rows.
• Detached conversion methods create copies. The returned arrays / lists are not linked to the table.
• AsInterface returns a live proxy. When used, it provides strongly-typed access while still operating on the underlying table/rows.

When to Use These Extensions

Use DataTableExtensions when you work with table schema or the Rows collection directly. These methods help keep code expressive in backend logic (schema setup, imports, synchronization) and in UI preparation scenarios (selection, cloning, fast lookup, conversion to collections).

 

• AcceptChanges Method
• AddColumn Method
• AddColumns Method
• AddColumnsFromInterface Method
• AddNewRow Method
• AsInterface Method
• BuildPrimaryKeyIndex Method
• ClearSelection Method
• Clone Method
• CloneColumnsFrom Method
• CloneRowsFrom Method
• ContainsColumn Method
• DeleteRow Method
• DeleteRowAt Method
• GetFieldValue Method
• RejectChanges Method
• RemoveRow Method
• RemoveRowAt Method
• ToArray Method
• ToDetachedArray Method
• ToDetachedList Method
• ToList Method

 

Table of Content POCO DataSet PocoDataSet.Extensions

 

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Business Process Programming in .Net
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