Binding one datalist to multiple tables?

[collegian]

Hello All,

I just wanted to know if there is any way in which I can bind one datalist to multiple tables? I can use multiple datalists but I think that would look ugly.I need to implement a site wide search functionality.Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[jmeckley]

aggregate the results into a single table and bind to the datalist.

Jason Meckley
Programmer
Specialty Bakers, Inc.

faq855-7190
faq732-7259

 

[collegian]

Thanks for the reply.I can't think of anything other than using SQL Join statement.However,I am not sure if I can use that in my context since there is nothing in common between the tables!

 

[jmeckley]

you have some options.
1. use sql either; through a temp table and a series of insert into sql commands or a massive union query.
2. get the results from each "source" into a datatable, then merge all of these results into a single datatable using code.
3. I'm sure there are others, the only limit is your imagination.

if you are relying on VS drag-n-drop Wizards then I can see why this seems impossible. WYSIWYG cannot do this for you. you will need to write the code/sql yourself.

Jason Meckley
Programmer
Specialty Bakers, Inc.

faq855-7190
faq732-7259

 

[collegian]

Union doesn't work with columns having different data types.I tried doing the second option which you suggested but it didn't work,maybe I need to give it another shot!

If nothing works soon, I'll have to go with multiple datalists

 

[jmeckley]

I see this going 1 of 2 ways. either the data can be presented in a similar fashion and you can use a common type to represent it. or the data is so heterogeneous than it should not be displayed as a single common set of information.

in the end it's all text anyway, you can always default to that.

Jason Meckley
Programmer
Specialty Bakers, Inc.

faq855-7190
faq732-7259

 

[collegian]

Thanks for the suggestions.I will try it out.