How do I get the SqlDbType of a column in a table using ADO.NET?

Question

I\'m trying to determine at runtime what the SqlDbType of a sql server table column is.

is there a class that can do that in System.Data.SqlClient or should I do the

Answer 1

In SQL Server you can use the FMTONLY option. It allows you to run a query without getting any data, just returning the columns.

SqlCommand cmd = connection.CreateCommand();
cmd.CommandText = "SET FMTONLY ON; select column from table; SET FMTONLY OFF";
SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();
SqlDbType type = (SqlDbType)(int)reader.GetSchemaTable().Rows[0]["ProviderType"];