Welcome to your go-to guide for mastering SqlKata, the dynamic query builder that transforms your SQL query creation experience in C#. Whether you are building applications with SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, or Firebird, SqlKata’s flexibility and expressive API will take your productivity to the next level!

What is SqlKata?

SqlKata is an incredibly powerful SQL query builder designed to simplify and streamline your database interactions. It’s framework-agnostic, meaning it integrates seamlessly regardless of the technology stack you are using, and draws inspiration from well-known query builders like Laravel and Knex. With clean naming conventions that mirror SQL syntax, you’ll find it intuitive and easy to use.

Installation

To get started with SqlKata, you’ll need to install the package. Here’s how:

$ dotnet add package SqlKata
$ dotnet add package SqlKata.Execution # Optional for execution support

Setting up Your Connection

After installation, set up your database connection with the following code:

var connection = new SqlConnection(...);
var compiler = new SqlCompiler();
var db = new QueryFactory(connection, compiler); // QueryFactory from SqlKata.Execution

Basic Query Examples

Here’s how you can retrieve data using SqlKata:

• Retrieve all records:

  var books = db.Query("Books").Get();

• Retrieve published books only:

  var books = db.Query("Books").WhereTrue("IsPublished").Get();

• Retrieve a specific book:

  var introToSql = db.Query("Books").Where("Id", 145).Where("Lang", "en").First();

Understanding SqlKata with Analogy

Think of SqlKata as an efficient restaurant order system. Each time you want a meal (query), you communicate your orders (conditions and selections) to the waiter (SqlKata). Just as the waiter knows how to prepare the requested dish by going to the kitchen (database) following the specific instructions (query syntax), SqlKata translates your queries into SQL language that the database can comprehend. Whether you want appetizers (filters), main courses (joins), or desserts (nested queries and pagination), SqlKata ensures you get exactly what you ordered without any confusion.

Advanced Features

SqlKata allows for complex queries that can include subqueries, conditional queries, and much more! Here are some examples:

• Join with authors table:

  var books = db.Query("Books")
          .Join("Authors", "Authors.Id", "Books.AuthorId")
          .Select("Books.*", "Authors.Name as AuthorName")
          .Get();
      foreach(var book in books)
          Console.WriteLine($"{book.Title}: {book.AuthorName}");

• Conditional queries:

  var isFriday = DateTime.Today.DayOfWeek == DayOfWeek.Friday;
  var books = db.Query("Books")
      .When(isFriday, q => q.WhereIn("Category", new [] { "OpenSource", "MachineLearning" }))
      .Get();

• Pagination:

  var page1 = db.Query("Books").Paginate(10);
  foreach(var book in page1.List)
      Console.WriteLine(book.Name);

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues while using SqlKata, here are some common troubleshooting tips:

• Issue with database support: SqlKata focuses on major databases, and while not all are supported, you can create custom compilers for unsupported databases.
• Updates and new features: Follow the official updates through the Twitter account and subscribe to newsletters on the official website.

For more insights, updates, or to collaborate on AI development projects, stay connected with fxis.ai.

Conclusion

SqlKata is a robust tool that can significantly enhance your interaction with databases in C#. At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.