asp.net - What is the difference between ExecuteScalar, ExecuteReader and ExecuteNonQuery?

Question

What are the different cases when we use these three? Where should I use one and where should I not?

Answer 1

• ExecuteScalar is typically used when your query returns a single value. If it returns more, then the result is the first column of the first row. An example might be SELECT @@IDENTITY AS 'Identity'.
• ExecuteReader is used for any result set with multiple rows/columns (e.g., SELECT col1, col2 from sometable).
• ExecuteNonQuery is typically used for SQL statements without results (e.g., UPDATE, INSERT, etc.).