I thought I heard that v2 would allow a WebService to return a DataTable.

[Tony]

I thought I heard that v2 would allow a WebService to return a DataTable.
I've tried this but it doesn't seem to work, the WebService compiles but I
can't hook a client up to the method, so I have resorted back to creating a
DataSet just to transport a stupid DataTable which seems like such a waste
of code, execution time, and network bandwidth.

Am I missing something???

Thanks,
Tony

 

[Josh Twist]

Hi Tony,

Sorry I'm not answering your question here but you may be interested in
this. I tend to point most people at thsi who ask about returning
DataSets and DataTables - it maybe worth a rethink

http://www.hanselman.com/blog/Retur...ndRepresentsAllThatIsTrulyEvilInTheWorld.aspx

Josh
http://www.thejoyofcode.com/

 

[Tony]

Yes, but that is not of much help since it just states you shouldn't but
doesn't provide a better alternative.
I'm open to suggestions of a better workable solution.

Tony

 

[Josh Twist]

The better alternative is to return 'real' objects. For example, if
your WebMethod is called GetApple, then your web service should return
'Apples'. That is a class Apple with the appropriate properties rather
than returning a DataSet/Table that contains columns with properties of
Apples. It's what web services are all about.

public class Apples
{
public string Type;
public int Weight;
public string Color;
}

Anyway, good luck however you decide to proceed!

Josh
http://www.thejoyofcode.com/