Creating a database and some test rows

Every data lesson needs a database with a table and a few rows. Building one takes a minute.

Create the database and table

CREATE DATABASE Shop;

CREATE TABLE Product (
    Id int IDENTITY(1,1) PRIMARY KEY,
    Name nvarchar(100) NOT NULL,
    Price decimal(10,2) NOT NULL
);

Add a few rows

INSERT INTO Product (Name, Price) VALUES ('Hammer', 12.50);
INSERT INTO Product (Name, Price) VALUES ('Saw', 24.00);
INSERT INTO Product (Name, Price) VALUES ('Drill', 89.99);

Why the identifier matters

The identity column gives each row a unique number that the database assigns. That number is how you update and delete a single row precisely.

Now you can read those rows in talking to a database with ADO.NET.