Limiting Data Selection Query in mySQL using VB.Net

Limiting Data Selection Query in mySQL using VB.Net

Limiting Data Selection Query in mySQL using VB.Net.

In this tutorial, you will learn how to use LIMIT data selection in VB.Net.

Software tools used on this project are the following:

1. Microsoft Visual Studio 2013
2. XAMPP (for database)
3. mySQL connector .NET

To start, create a new project and name it as you like.

Next, on your mySQL database, create a new database name “limit_database”. After creating your database, add this following SQL query to your database to insert a table with columns.

CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS `limit_table` (
`ID` int(10) NOT NULL,
`Fullname` VARCHAR(50) NOT NULL,
`Address` VARCHAR(50) NOT NULL,
`Contact_No` VARCHAR(50) NOT NULL,
PRIMARY KEY (`ID`)
) ENGINE=MyISAM DEFAULT CHARSET=utf8;

Next, we are going to add values to our table.

INSERT INTO `limit_table`(`ID`,`Fullname`, `Address`, `Contact_No`)
VALUES
('001','Juan De la Cruz', 'Manila', '1234567890'),
('002','Sebastian De la Cruz','Manila','0987654321'),
('003','Pepeng De la Cruz','Manila','432534354'),
('004','Jose Rizal', 'Laguna', '3432324141'),
('005','Apolinario Mabini', 'Manila', '32131243232');

The output of your mySQL queries will look like this:

Then, we are going to add the mySQL connector .NET MySql.Data.dll to our reference. Its usual location is on “C:\Program Files (x86)\MySQL\MySQL Connector Net 6.9.9\Assemblies\v4.0” or depending on the installation extraction folder.

Next, we are going to add a DataGridView to our Form1 blank designer. Set the DataGridView’s AutoSizeColumnsMode to Fill to emphasize our data. Next, double click the form itself and add this code:

Imports MySql.Data.MySqlClient
Public Class Form1
Dim conn As MySqlConnection
Dim cmd As MySqlCommand
Dim dt As DataTable
Dim da As MySqlDataAdapter
Dim sql As String
Private Sub Form1_Load(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
Try
conn = New MySqlConnection
conn.ConnectionString = "server=localhost; userid=root; password=; database=limit_database;"
conn.Open()
sql = "SELECT * FROM limit_table LIMIT 3;"
cmd = New MySqlCommand(sql, conn)
da = New MySqlDataAdapter
dt = New DataTable
da.SelectCommand = cmd
da.Fill(dt)
DataGridView1.DataSource = dt
Catch ex As MySqlException
MsgBox(ex.Message)
Finally
conn.Close()
cmd.Dispose()
End Try
End Sub
End Class

After inserting this line of code to your visual basic project, your output would be like this:

As you have noticed, we limit the retrieving of data to 3 row values. You can set your own LIMIT selection depending on your desired output.

You can also use the LIMIT keyword to initialize your system to where to start its retrieving of data and how many data should it fetch from the database. Try to add another number in your LIMIT query and check to see the results.

sql = "SELECT * FROM limit_table LIMIT 3, 2;"

Here’s the output when you add a comma and a number on your LIMIT query.

Notice that the fetching of data starts at ID 4, it is because the mySQL count starts with 0.
So meaning, the first number in your LIMIT keyword leads to which the query should start fetching data. So, we have ID 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 on our mySQL limit_table. Then, the mySQL reads it 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. So, the mySQL fetching of data starts in ID 4.

This ends on our tutorial Limiting Data Selection Query in mySQL using VB.Net.

The next number indicates on how many data rows should the LIMIT query fetch. So based on the output picture, the query retrieve ID 4 and 5.

For questions or any other concerns or thesis/capstone creation with documentation, you can contact me through the following:

E-Mail: [email protected]

Facebook: facebook.com/kirk.lavapiez

Contact No.: +639771069640

Ian Hero L. Lavapiez

BSIT Graduate

System Analyst and Developer

Related topic(s) that you may like:

• How to Use Module and its uses in VB.Net
• Transferring Multiple Data from DataGridView to mySQL database

Technology stack and requirements

To run this VB.NET project, you need the following on your development machine:

• Visual Studio 2019 or later. The free Community Edition is enough for building, debugging, and running the project.
• .NET Framework 4.7.2 or higher. Most Windows 10 and 11 systems have it preinstalled through Windows Update.
• MySQL Server 8.0 or MSSQL Express 2019. Choose whichever your capstone panel prefers; both work with VB.NET data adapters.
• MySQL Connector/NET or SqlClient library. Add via NuGet Package Manager inside Visual Studio.
• Crystal Reports (optional). Required only if the project generates printable reports; install the runtime redistributable.

Installing the source code

The download link contains a ZIP archive with the full solution. Extract and set up in five steps:

1. Extract the archive to a folder outside Program Files (avoids permission issues).
2. Open the .sln file in Visual Studio. It loads the full solution with all forms and modules.
3. Restore NuGet packages. Right-click the solution then Restore NuGet Packages if prompted.
4. Import the database. Locate the .sql file in the archive and import via phpMyAdmin (MySQL) or SQL Server Management Studio.
5. Update the connection string in App.config or module code to match your local database name, user, and password.

How to use this project for your BSIT capstone

This VB.NET project maps cleanly to standard BSIT capstone documentation. Suggested chapter alignment:

• Chapter 1 (Introduction). Discuss the problem the system solves in real-world context. Cite Philippine business or academic use cases where a manual process could be replaced.
• Chapter 2 (Review of Related Literature). Compare this system’s features against 5-10 similar published projects. Cite journals like IJERT or IEEE Access for academic-standard sources.
• Chapter 3 (Methodology). Include Use Case Diagram, Data Flow Diagram, Entity Relationship Diagram, and Activity Diagram covering all major workflows in the system.
• Chapter 4 (Results and Discussion). Screenshot each module of the running system with a caption explaining what data it processes and which user role interacts with it.
• Chapter 5 (Conclusion and Recommendations). Identify features that could be added in a Version 2, such as web dashboard, mobile app, or REST API export.

Modules typical of Limiting Data Selection Query in mySQL using VB.Net

• Master data. CRUD forms for the primary entities the system manages, with search and filter.
• Transaction processing. Data entry forms for the day-to-day operations the system automates.
• Reports. Formatted printable output summarizing activity per day, per user, or per category.
• User management. Login with role-based permissions (Admin, Encoder, Viewer).
• Backup and restore. Export database to a .sql or .bak file and restore when needed.

Common enhancements for capstone review

• Modernize the UI. Add Bunifu or Guna UI controls for a more polished, modern appearance.
• Add printable receipts. Integrate a printer preview form with page-setup options.
• Multi-user concurrency. Ensure the database handles simultaneous writes without lost-update errors.
• Web version. Rewrite the front-end in ASP.NET Core or React for a modern deployment path.