Question

Using VB 2010 and SQL Server 2008:

I am able to insert new rows, delete rows, and update data in a datatable, and use a data adapter to update the database without any issues. When I try to add new columns, the column appears in the data table, but it does not update to the database. I currently am using the DataAdapter.Update(DataTable) Method.

My code is as follows:

Dim dcNewColumn As New DataColumn
dcNewColumn.ColumnName = strClassColumnName
m_DataTable.Columns.Add(dcNewColumn)
m_DataTable.Row(intCurrentRow).Item(strClassColumnName) = strClassName
dcNewColumn = Nothing

m_DA.Update(m_DataTable)

Is there a different method to updating the database when inserting new columns?

Answer 1

You are looking for the ALTER TABLE sql command.
Or the SQLDMO Columns Collection (Please check the notice at the start of the page)

An ALTER TABLE Command to add a column could be coded in this way

Dim cn As SqlConnection
Dim cmd As SqlCommand
Using cn = GetConnection()
    cn.Open()
    Using cmd = new SqlCommand()
         cmd.Connection = cn
         cmd.CommandText = "ALTER TABLE myTable ADD aNewColumn VARCHAR(20) NULL"
         cmd.CommandType = CommandType.Text
         cmd.ExecuteNonQuery()
    End Using
End Using