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String.Format???

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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.

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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.

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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

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                        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);

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                        • O oggenok64

                          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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                          PIEBALDconsult
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #23

                          While it is true that one should "use the right tool for the right job", I have never used EXISTS (I have an Oracle background), and I have not used IN/NOT IN for many years, and never with SQL Server. JOIN tends to scale better -- you may have an IN, EXISTS, or even a BETWEEN that has to be converted to a JOIN as the project becomes more complex; using a JOIN to begin with eases such maintenance. JOIN allows you to configure a system by maintaining a table rather than modifying the code. As with Jörgen's post, an IN with hard-coded values I especially discourage; they reek of the "magic numbers" code smell. A subquery on some table would at least improve maintainability.

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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.

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                            T M Gray
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #24

                            Did you look at the code in the OP? You can't do SQL injection if your parameter data is strongly typed Int32 and DateTime values. If it was a string that's a different story, but if you are doing extra code to make sure no one is slipping SQL keywords into your ints then you are wasting a lot of time way overarchitecting.

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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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                              PIEBALDconsult
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #25

                              Søren Turin wrote:

                              a nicer solution

                              Not for a simple SELECT.

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                              • P PIEBALDconsult

                                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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                                Jorgen Andersson
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #26

                                That's because it wasn't in the general database forum. You'll find it here.[^]

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

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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.

                                  J Offline
                                  J Offline
                                  Jorgen Andersson
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #27

                                  PIEBALDconsult wrote:

                                  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.

                                  A JOIN is a poor substitute for a NOT IN or NOT EXISTS. And they don't handle nulls the same way.

                                  PIEBALDconsult wrote:

                                  The statement you present is a symptom of a poorly implemented system.

                                  Agreed, but sometimes that's what you have. :sigh:

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

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                                  • J Jorgen Andersson

                                    That's because it wasn't in the general database forum. You'll find it here.[^]

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

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                                    PIEBALDconsult
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #28

                                    Ah, good, thanks.

                                    1 Reply Last reply
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                                    • J Jorgen Andersson

                                      PIEBALDconsult wrote:

                                      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.

                                      A JOIN is a poor substitute for a NOT IN or NOT EXISTS. And they don't handle nulls the same way.

                                      PIEBALDconsult wrote:

                                      The statement you present is a symptom of a poorly implemented system.

                                      Agreed, but sometimes that's what you have. :sigh:

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

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                                      P Offline
                                      PIEBALDconsult
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #29

                                      But your example uses IN, not NOT IN. :-D

                                      1 Reply Last reply
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                                      • P PIEBALDconsult

                                        While it is true that one should "use the right tool for the right job", I have never used EXISTS (I have an Oracle background), and I have not used IN/NOT IN for many years, and never with SQL Server. JOIN tends to scale better -- you may have an IN, EXISTS, or even a BETWEEN that has to be converted to a JOIN as the project becomes more complex; using a JOIN to begin with eases such maintenance. JOIN allows you to configure a system by maintaining a table rather than modifying the code. As with Jörgen's post, an IN with hard-coded values I especially discourage; they reek of the "magic numbers" code smell. A subquery on some table would at least improve maintainability.

                                        J Offline
                                        J Offline
                                        Jorgen Andersson
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #30

                                        PIEBALDconsult wrote:

                                        As with Jörgen's post, an IN with hard-coded values I especially discourage; they reek of the "magic numbers" code smell. A subquery on some table would at least improve maintainability.

                                        I think I might have been unclear in my post. I never said they were hardcoded, I only wondered if he knew an easy way to add a list as a parameter and gave an example with using a list. Assume that that this list is dynamic and comes from the application. Normally I would add that list to a temporary table and make a subquery or a join on that table. But it would be nice to be able to add that list as a parameter.

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

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                                        • J Jorgen Andersson

                                          PIEBALDconsult wrote:

                                          As with Jörgen's post, an IN with hard-coded values I especially discourage; they reek of the "magic numbers" code smell. A subquery on some table would at least improve maintainability.

                                          I think I might have been unclear in my post. I never said they were hardcoded, I only wondered if he knew an easy way to add a list as a parameter and gave an example with using a list. Assume that that this list is dynamic and comes from the application. Normally I would add that list to a temporary table and make a subquery or a join on that table. But it would be nice to be able to add that list as a parameter.

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

                                          P Offline
                                          P Offline
                                          PIEBALDconsult
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #31

                                          Jörgen Andersson wrote:

                                          list as a parameter

                                          Indeed, you have me wondering whether or not a DataTable may be passed as a parameter. Though I'm sure that if so, that only SQL Server would support it, so it wouldn't be a general solution. :sigh: P.S. This[^] looks interesting. P.P.S. And this[^].

                                          modified on Friday, July 9, 2010 5:21 PM

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