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String.Format???

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  • L Lost User

    In-code SQL statement is much bigger horror than lack of using String.Format IMHO

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    oggenok64
    wrote on last edited by
    #3

    Why is SQL in code such a particular horror?

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    • O oggenok64

      Why is SQL in code such a particular horror?

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      L Offline
      Lost User
      wrote on last edited by
      #4

      Using SQL in code is generally considered bad practice. It can raise maintenance issues and can be exposed to SQL injection attacks to name just a few reasons.

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      • O oggenok64

        Why is SQL in code such a particular horror?

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        Lost User
        wrote on last edited by
        #5

        In many cases a stored procedure would offer some benefits. The real horror here is that the parameters were added with string formatting. Command parameters would have been a far better choice. This way, depending on where the parameters come from, the door is open for SQL injection attacks.

        A while ago he asked me what he should have printed on my business cards. I said 'Wizard'. I read books which nobody else understand. Then I do something which nobody understands. After that the computer does something which nobody understands. When asked, I say things about the results which nobody understand. But everybody expects miracles from me on a regular basis. Looks to me like the classical definition of a wizard.

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        • L Lost User

          Using SQL in code is generally considered bad practice. It can raise maintenance issues and can be exposed to SQL injection attacks to name just a few reasons.

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          oggenok64
          wrote on last edited by
          #6

          Admittedly a SP would be much a nicer solution, but in real life you may have to work with databases where you are nowhere near getting authorized to implement a SP. Think of implementing a reporting system for at large financial institution as a consultant. What do you think their reply would be if you came saying "I need a dozen new stored procedures in your central DB2-database"? The polite answers would be something along the lines of "I'm sorry but that won't be possible", "Are you quite sure this is needed?" etc, etc. The impolite answer would be to find someone else to do the job.

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          • O oggenok64

            Admittedly a SP would be much a nicer solution, but in real life you may have to work with databases where you are nowhere near getting authorized to implement a SP. Think of implementing a reporting system for at large financial institution as a consultant. What do you think their reply would be if you came saying "I need a dozen new stored procedures in your central DB2-database"? The polite answers would be something along the lines of "I'm sorry but that won't be possible", "Are you quite sure this is needed?" etc, etc. The impolite answer would be to find someone else to do the job.

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            Lost User
            wrote on last edited by
            #7

            I agree, that might be the case, but the fact still remains (as CDP1802 noted), that having SQL statement in code formatted with parameters that might come from e.g. UI text-boxes, represents great vulnerability to SQL injection attacks. Otherwise I understand that sometimes there is no other way, nevertheless in-code SQL can be used wisely or not.

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            • L Lost User

              In many cases a stored procedure would offer some benefits. The real horror here is that the parameters were added with string formatting. Command parameters would have been a far better choice. This way, depending on where the parameters come from, the door is open for SQL injection attacks.

              A while ago he asked me what he should have printed on my business cards. I said 'Wizard'. I read books which nobody else understand. Then I do something which nobody understands. After that the computer does something which nobody understands. When asked, I say things about the results which nobody understand. But everybody expects miracles from me on a regular basis. Looks to me like the classical definition of a wizard.

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              sergiogarcianinja
              wrote on last edited by
              #8

              I think in that case you can use a in code SQL, but using SQL parameters. Then, in you SQL command you add the parameters. Something like this:

              string query = "select * from table where column = @value";
              SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand(query);
              cmd.Parameters.Add("@value", textBox1.Text);

              This SQL statments are cached (so if you execute it in short time intervals the SQL plan will be computed) and aren't vunerable to SQL injection.

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              • L Lost User

                In many cases a stored procedure would offer some benefits. The real horror here is that the parameters were added with string formatting. Command parameters would have been a far better choice. This way, depending on where the parameters come from, the door is open for SQL injection attacks.

                A while ago he asked me what he should have printed on my business cards. I said 'Wizard'. I read books which nobody else understand. Then I do something which nobody understands. After that the computer does something which nobody understands. When asked, I say things about the results which nobody understand. But everybody expects miracles from me on a regular basis. Looks to me like the classical definition of a wizard.

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                Jorgen Andersson
                wrote on last edited by
                #9

                How would you add the parameter for a query like: SELECT * FROM Table WHERE ID IN (123,124,125);? Lists are a bit tougher to handle in a proper way...

                "When did ignorance become a point of view" - Dilbert

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                • L Lost User

                  Using SQL in code is generally considered bad practice. It can raise maintenance issues and can be exposed to SQL injection attacks to name just a few reasons.

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                  PIEBALDconsult
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #10

                  tinko101 wrote:

                  SQL injection attacks

                  That's only due to this particular command not using parameters.

                  tinko101 wrote:

                  raise maintenance issues

                  Stored procedures raise maintenance issues too. And how will you execute your stored procedure from code without having SQL in your code?

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                  • J Jorgen Andersson

                    How would you add the parameter for a query like: SELECT * FROM Table WHERE ID IN (123,124,125);? Lists are a bit tougher to handle in a proper way...

                    "When did ignorance become a point of view" - Dilbert

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                    PIEBALDconsult
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #11

                    Personally I wouldn't. I wouldn't use IN at all, I'd find a way to have a table on which to JOIN instead. The statement you present is a symptom of a poorly implemented system.

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                    • O oggenok64

                      Why is SQL in code such a particular horror?

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                      PIEBALDconsult
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #12

                      It isn't; pay no attention to the stored procedure fan boys.

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                      • L Lost User

                        I agree, that might be the case, but the fact still remains (as CDP1802 noted), that having SQL statement in code formatted with parameters that might come from e.g. UI text-boxes, represents great vulnerability to SQL injection attacks. Otherwise I understand that sometimes there is no other way, nevertheless in-code SQL can be used wisely or not.

                        P Offline
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                        PIEBALDconsult
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #13

                        tinko101 wrote:

                        in-code SQL can be used wisely or not

                        Exactly.

                        tinko101 wrote:

                        SQL injection attacks.

                        Parameterization handles that regardless of where the SQL statement is stored.

                        modified on Friday, July 9, 2010 12:02 PM

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                        • P PIEBALDconsult

                          It isn't; pay no attention to the stored procedure fan boys.

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                          oggenok64
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #14

                          While we are at it, could someone please explain to me why inline SQL might be more vulnerable to SQL injection than a stored proc. Having thought about it all afternoon, i must admit that i just can't see it. Am i blind?

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                          • O oggenok64

                            While we are at it, could someone please explain to me why inline SQL might be more vulnerable to SQL injection than a stored proc. Having thought about it all afternoon, i must admit that i just can't see it. Am i blind?

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                            PIEBALDconsult
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #15

                            It really isn't. However, when using stored procedures, you are pretty much forced to use parameters. When using embedded SQL, you have the option, and they who don't know about parameters or are too lazy to bother, wind up with bad code. Basically, whichever way you store your SQL statements, use parameters. A properly-written Data Access Layer will hide the details anyway.

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                            • P PIEBALDconsult

                              It really isn't. However, when using stored procedures, you are pretty much forced to use parameters. When using embedded SQL, you have the option, and they who don't know about parameters or are too lazy to bother, wind up with bad code. Basically, whichever way you store your SQL statements, use parameters. A properly-written Data Access Layer will hide the details anyway.

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                              Steve Wellens
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #16

                              Here's a good article about SQL Injection: http://www.mikesdotnetting.com/Article/113/Preventing-SQL-Injection-in-ASP.NET[^]

                              Steve Wellens

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                              • S Steve Wellens

                                Here's a good article about SQL Injection: http://www.mikesdotnetting.com/Article/113/Preventing-SQL-Injection-in-ASP.NET[^]

                                Steve Wellens

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                                PIEBALDconsult
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #17

                                Yes, that's good.

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                                • P PIEBALDconsult

                                  Personally I wouldn't. I wouldn't use IN at all, I'd find a way to have a table on which to JOIN instead. The statement you present is a symptom of a poorly implemented system.

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                                  David Skelly
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #18

                                  There was a thread on here recently discussing this, comparing IN, EXISTS and JOIN. I can't find it now, but if I remember correctly there was a link on there to a blog from one of the SQL Server tech-heads that explained why and how the three are not interchangeable.

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                                  • N Not Active

                                    While working with a client to help them clean up their code I found this little gem. They absolutely never knew string.Format existed :wtf:

                                    string sql = "select * from table where id={0} and date={1}";
                                    string cmdText = sql.replace("{0}", id.Tostring())
                                    .replace("{1}", DateTime.Now.ToShortDateString());


                                    I know the language. I've read a book. - _Madmatt

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                                    Single Step Debugger
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #19

                                    This looks like a direct port from MFC C++ codebase to .NET and C# from someone not quite familiar with the C#.

                                    The narrow specialist in the broad sense of the word is a complete idiot in the narrow sense of the word. Advertise here – minimum three posts per day are guaranteed.

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                                    • D David Skelly

                                      There was a thread on here recently discussing this, comparing IN, EXISTS and JOIN. I can't find it now, but if I remember correctly there was a link on there to a blog from one of the SQL Server tech-heads that explained why and how the three are not interchangeable.

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                                      PIEBALDconsult
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #20

                                      That might be an interesting read; I'll take a look to see if I can find it. On the other hand, JOIN can do what IN and EXISTS can do, but IN and EXISTS can't do what JOIN does. P.S. I just searched the general database forum back to May 1 and didn't find it.

                                      modified on Thursday, August 5, 2010 12:02 AM

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                                      • P PIEBALDconsult

                                        Personally I wouldn't. I wouldn't use IN at all, I'd find a way to have a table on which to JOIN instead. The statement you present is a symptom of a poorly implemented system.

                                        O Offline
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                                        oggenok64
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #21

                                        Using an SQL IN-clause is definetely not a design flaw. Forcing everything into JOIN's is on the other hand an odd self-imposed hinderence.

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                                        • J Jorgen Andersson

                                          How would you add the parameter for a query like: SELECT * FROM Table WHERE ID IN (123,124,125);? Lists are a bit tougher to handle in a proper way...

                                          "When did ignorance become a point of view" - Dilbert

                                          J Offline
                                          J Offline
                                          Jeremy Hutchinson
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #22

                                          I would imagine this would work:

                                          string query = "select * from table where ID in (@value1, @value2, @value3)";
                                          SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand(query);
                                          cmd.Parameters.Add("@value1", 123);
                                          cmd.Parameters.Add("@value2", 124);
                                          cmd.Parameters.Add("@value3", 125);

                                          If not, this surely would:

                                          string query = "select * from table where (ID = @value1 or ID = @value2 or ID = @value3)";
                                          SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand(query);
                                          cmd.Parameters.Add("@value1", 123);
                                          cmd.Parameters.Add("@value2", 124);
                                          cmd.Parameters.Add("@value3", 125);

                                          J 1 Reply Last reply
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