C# Using DataTable Block

You wonder if it is worthwhile to enclose DataTable usage inside using blocks in the C# language. Often, the using block construct can help improve resource management in programs. By looking at the .NET Framework itself, we examine the using DataTable syntax.

This C# article shows the using-statement on a DataTable constructor.

Example

To begin, this example program demonstrates the using statement as a wrapper for a DataTable instance. You can add Columns and Rows to the DataTable instance inside the using block. After the ending bracket, the DataTable can no longer be referenced.

Program that uses using statement [C#]

using System;
using System.Data;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
	using (DataTable table = new DataTable())
	{
	    table.Columns.Add("Name", typeof(string));
	    table.Columns.Add("Date", typeof(DateTime));

	    table.Rows.Add("cat", DateTime.Now);
	    table.Rows.Add("dog", DateTime.Today);
	}
    }
}

Dispose method is invoked. After the using statement finishes, the Dispose method in the DataTable is called. This method is implemented on the base class for DataTable: MarshalValueByComponent.

Worthwhile?

So is enclosing the DataTable inside a using statement worthwhile? When Dispose is called, some native resources from MarshalValueByComponent (a base class of DataTable) are released. Therefore, it is possible that the using statement could alleviate some resource usage problems when used with DataTables. It is probably not an important issue, but the using statement is good coding hygiene for DataTables.

Summary

The using statement can be used with the DataTable type, and this may have some benefits in some programs. It is worthwhile wrapping DataTable instances in using statements if your program has any possible memory or resource usage issues. As part of good coding practices, the DataTable can be used in a using statement.