Dataset as data structure?

[Bloodstein]

Hi,

Im coding in vb.net and am wondering if it is possible to use a dataset containing multiple tables as a data structure. Ive got a really complicated data structure (basically a tree) that could very easily be represented with tables and relationshipts (entity-relationship diagram) in a relational database sort of structure.

Ive actually progressed pretty far with using this complex data structure i created. Before diving into datasets, Id like to get some opinion on this. Hows the performance when it comes to sorting/searching the dataset? Whats the learning curve involved with datasets? (Ive never done anything with datasets)

Thanks

 

[quwiltw]

I would hesitate to call a tree a "really complicated data structure" and would think that youd be better off keeping with your tree than a dataset if your main concern is performance. Now Ive never had performance issues with a Dataset but in my apps so far no significant wait == no performance problems. But if my primary concern was performance, and not deadline, then Id go with a custom data structure made specifically for the job.

Instead of doing your own have you considered just grabbing one of the various well-documented Tree structures (AVL, BTree, BST, Red-Black, etc.) and porting it to VB.NET?

 

[Bloodstein]

Hmn, is there a place that i can grab these data structures from?

 

[quwiltw]

Yeah, maybe by using "grab" I made it sound a bit easier than it is. Any 2nd year CS textbook will describe them. You can search the web but I doubt youll find in a single place what the pros/cons of each are (ie. some are optimized for searching others for insertion, etc).