c# accessing database example

gistfile1.cs

public List<String> GetFirstNames(string surname) {
  List<String> names = new List<String>();
  using (SqlConnection con = new SqlConnection(<connection string>)) {
    using (SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("SELECT firstname FROM People WHERE surname=@surname", con)) {
      cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("@surname", surname);
      SqlDataReader reader = cmd.ExecuteReader();
      while (reader.Read()) { // while there is data
        string name = reader["firstname"].ToString(); // for other data, use Convert.ToInt32() etc
        names.Add(name);
      }
    }
  }
  return names;
}