Sorting Datasets: Can it be done?

I have a dataset which reads in an XML file containing an address book. I want to be able to sort this address book into alphabetical order. I have currently been taking the data from the dataset and inserting then sorting it in a collection. But that is very in-efficient.

Is it possible to sort the dataset into alphabetical order from fields i define?

Just load the Dataset into a Dataview and sort it at the time. I don't have VS.NET on this computer but there should be an example either in the help or in the forums.

I tried doing this but everytime I click to sort the datagrid comes up empty!

Code:

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    Private Sub Page_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
        If Not IsPostBack Then
            SqlDataAdapter1.SelectCommand.Parameters("@strDepartment").Value = "web"
            SqlDataAdapter1.Fill(Ds1)
            DataGrid1.DataBind()
            Cache.Insert("ds", Ds1, Nothing, DateTime.Now.AddMinutes(5), Caching.Cache.NoSlidingExpiration)
        End If
    End Sub


    Private Sub DataGrid1_SortCommand(ByVal source As Object, ByVal e As System.Web.UI.WebControls.DataGridSortCommandEventArgs) Handles DataGrid1.SortCommand
        Dim newdv As DataView = New DataView(Cache("ds"))
        Dim SortExpression As String = e.SortExpression.ToString()
        newdv.Sort = SortExpression & " asc"
        DataGrid1.DataSource = newdv
        DataGrid1.DataBind()
    End Sub
End Class

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Try sorting the DataTables contained within the dataset (using your DataView) before binding (ie - do it in your load event).

I think that the DataGrid has a property to allow sorting too, so you can also set that to True to allow your users to sort by any of the columns in your datagrid.

Quote:

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Originally posted by VBCrazyCoder
I think that the DataGrid has a property to allow sorting too, so you can also set that to True to allow your users to sort by any of the columns in your datagrid.

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Well ya! But you have to code it yourself! :p

Not if you have a custom Datagrid control :)

Quote:

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Originally posted by VBCrazyCoder
Not if you have a custom Datagrid control :)

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WHAT?! :eek: :confused:

You have to implement your own sorting routine for the Web DataGrid control. The Windows Form DataGrid sorting is free. Just click on the column header you want to sort. You can also sort on a specific column before you bind to the datagrid.

Code:

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DataView dv = new DataView(ds.Tables["myTable"]);
dv.Sort = "columnName DESC";
dataGrid.DataSource = dv;

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Quote:

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Originally posted by DevGrp
You have to implement your own sorting routine for the Web DataGrid control. The Windows Form DataGrid sorting is free. Just click on the column header you want to sort. You can also sort on a specific column before you bind to the datagrid.

Code:

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DataView dv = new DataView(ds.Tables["myTable"]);
dv.Sort = "columnName DESC";
dataGrid.DataSource = dv;

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But then HOW do you figure out what Sort Direction was previously selected? And also how do you resolve the issue if the user switches columns? The first click doesn't sort when they change columns.

What are you referring to? The Web DataGrid control or the Winforms DataGrid control?