SQL/C# – Best method for executing a query

I need to execute a sql query from within a c# class. I have thought of 2 options

1. Starting a process of sqlcmd.
2. Using a SqlCommand object.

My question is which would be the better way? It’s important that the solution only holds a connection to the server for a short time.

I’m open to other ideas if the above aren’t good.

Thanks in advance.

Answer

Use a SqlCommand. This code will only keep the connection alive for a very short period of time (as long as your query is performant):

DataTable results = new DataTable();

using(SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection(connString))
    using(SqlCommand command = new SqlCommand(query, conn))
        using (SqlDataAdapter dataAdapter = new SqlDataAdapter(command))
           dataAdapter.Fill(results);