Find data in database

Question

I have an idea of what supposed to do just not exactly sure how to put it all together. I'm trying to search records in my data using a text box. I would like if the user didnt know the whole address just to be able to enter a portion of the address and still return records. If I enter the full address then a record returns. But if I just enter the first couple letters and search nothing returns.

Thanks

Here is what I have :

protected void btnFind_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
    {
        string searchFor = txtFirstName.Text.Trim();
        int results = 0;
        string errorText = "No records found";

        OleDbConnection conn = new OleDbConnection(@"Provider=Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0;Data Source=H:\Contacts.mdb");
        conn.Open();

        DataSet ds = new DataSet();

        string cmd = "SELECT * FROM Contact WHERE Address LIKE '+searchFor ' ";

        OleDbDataAdapter da = new OleDbDataAdapter(cmd, conn);

        da.Fill(ds, "Search");

        DataRow[] row;
        DataRow dr;

        row = ds.Tables["Search"].Select("Address='" + searchFor + "'");
        results = row.Length;

        if (results > 0)
        {
            dr = row[0];
            txtFirstName.Text = dr["FirstName"].ToString();
            txtLastName.Text = dr["LastName"].ToString();
            txtEmail.Text = dr["Email"].ToString();
            txtAddress.Text = dr["Address"].ToString();
            txtPhone.Text = dr["Phone"].ToString();

        }
        else
        {
            lblError.Text = errorText;
        }
        conn.Close();


    }

Answer 1

1. you are misusing single quotes in your query. you need to wrap up the string variables with single quotes.

2. you are not properly adding parameter in your query. you need to close parameter
with concatenation + operator

3. you need to use % for searching.
example : if you want to search in between you can use % before and after your search string

This

string cmd = "SELECT * FROM Contact WHERE Address LIKE '+searchFor ' ";

should be

string cmd = "SELECT * FROM Contact WHERE Address LIKE '%"+ searchFor +"%'";

Answer 2

You could try this code:

 string cmd = "SELECT * FROM Contact WHERE Address LIKE '%"+ searchFor +"%'";