System.Data.SqlClient.SqlException – Invalid object name ‘xyz’

The System.Data.SqlClient.SqlException – Invalid object name 'xyz' is a runtime exception in C# that occurs when the application tries to access a database object (e.g., table, view, stored procedure) that does not exist or is misspelled. This typically happens when:

1. The database object name is misspelled or incorrect.
2. The database object does not exist in the specified schema or database.
3. The connection is pointing to the wrong database.

Here’s how you can troubleshoot and fix this issue:

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1. Check Object Name Spelling

• Ensure that the database object name is spelled correctly and matches the name in the database. Example:

   var command = new SqlCommand("SELECT * FROM NonExistentTable", connection); // Error: Invalid object name

Fix:

   var command = new SqlCommand("SELECT * FROM ExistingTable", connection); // Correct object name

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2. Check Schema and Database

• Ensure that the database object exists in the specified schema and database. Example:

   var command = new SqlCommand("SELECT * FROM dbo.ExistingTable", connection); // Specify schema

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3. Verify Database Connection

• Ensure that the connection is pointing to the correct database. Example:

   var connection = new SqlConnection("Server=myServerAddress;Database=CorrectDatabase;User Id=myUsername;Password=myPassword;");

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4. Check for Case Sensitivity

• Ensure that the database object name matches the case sensitivity of the database. Example:
• If the database is case-sensitive, ensure that the object name matches exactly.

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5. Use try-catch for Error Handling

• Use a try-catch block to handle the SqlException gracefully. Example:

   try
   {
       var command = new SqlCommand("SELECT * FROM NonExistentTable", connection);
       var reader = command.ExecuteReader();
   }
   catch (SqlException ex)
   {
       Console.WriteLine("Error: " + ex.Message); // Handle the exception
   }

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Example of Correct Code

using System;
using System.Data.SqlClient;

public class Program
{
    public static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        string connectionString = "Server=myServerAddress;Database=CorrectDatabase;User Id=myUsername;Password=myPassword;";
        using (var connection = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
        {
            connection.Open();

            // Example 1: Check object name spelling
            try
            {
                var command = new SqlCommand("SELECT * FROM ExistingTable", connection);
                var reader = command.ExecuteReader();
                Console.WriteLine("Query executed successfully");
            }
            catch (SqlException ex)
            {
                Console.WriteLine("Error: " + ex.Message); // Handle the exception
            }

            // Example 2: Specify schema
            try
            {
                var command = new SqlCommand("SELECT * FROM dbo.ExistingTable", connection);
                var reader = command.ExecuteReader();
                Console.WriteLine("Query executed with schema");
            }
            catch (SqlException ex)
            {
                Console.WriteLine("Error: " + ex.Message); // Handle the exception
            }
        }
    }
}

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