Description
Executes the SQL phrase over the defined datasource. For selects returning multiple rows, it concatenates the values (for instance you select 2 values and the select returns 4 rows, you will have 2*4 = 8 values). For updates, it returns the update count.
Parameters
Return Type
String []
Error Handling
Throws SqlException
Examples
Example 1
string [] results = sql("datasourceName", "select project_id from project_lookaside where project_code='" + project + "'");
//Note: this example is open to SQL injection if 'project' is not the standard issue project (derived) but a variable supplied by user. Take care.
Example 2
string [] results = sql("datasourceName", "select project_id from project_lookaside where project_code=?", project);
//this is better. No sql injection possible.
Example 3
It is tedious to iterate over a result in its flat form. The better way is to do it like this:
struct Person {
string fName;
string lName;
number age;
}
Person [] results = sql ("datasourceName", "SELECT fName, lName, age FROM person WHERE group_member = 'Y'");
//checks to see if there are results there are skipped for brevity, but
//now you can iterate over and use the dot notation, and 'age' is really a number.
string firstResult = results[0].fName + " " + results[0].lName + " " + results[0].age;
To configure the data source, check the SQL data sources configuration chapter.