Question

Does anyone know how to parse SQL Text with VB.NET?

Ex: I got a sql file “CREATE TABLE…” i want to get an array of columns and an array of data types.

Answer 1

Expanding on @Tomalak’s post: once you have the table built you can use a DataReader to select just 1 line if you only need the schema or your actual data, then do something like this:

Dim myReader As DataReader
Dim myTable As DataTable

Dim myColumns As New Collection

myReader =  //' get your data

If myReader.HasRows Then
    myTable.Load(myReader)
    For Each col As DataColumn In myTable.Columns
        myColumns.Add(col.DataType.ToString, col.ColumnName)
    Next
End If

The collection myColumns will now have a Key of the column’s name and the Value is the columns datatype. You can modify this to make 2 separate collections if you need.

Parsing a string on the other hand will involve significantly more debugging and offer lots of room for error.