Connect to Google Directory Data from Blazor Apps

Blazor is a framework for developing modern, client-side web UIs using .NET technology. Instead of coding in JavaScript, developers can use the familiar C# language and .NET libraries to build app UIs.

The CData ADO.NET Provider for Google Directory can be used with standard ADO.NET interfaces, such as LINQ and Entity Framework, to interact with live Google Directory data. Since Blazor supports .NET Core, developers can use CData ADO.NET Providers in Blazor apps. In this article, we will guide you to build a simple Blazor app that talks to Google Directory using standard SQL queries.

Install the CData ADO.NET Provider for Google Directory

CData ADO.NET Providers allow users to access Google Directory just like they would access SQL Server, using simple SQL queries.

Install the Google Directory ADO.NET Data Provider from the CData website or from NuGet. Search NuGet for "Google Directory ADO.NET Data Provider."

Create a Google Directory-Connected Blazor App

Start by creating a Blazor project that references the CData ADO.NET Provider for Google Directory

1. Create a Blazor project on Visual Studio.

2. From the Solution Explorer, right click Dependencies, then click Add Project Reference.
3. In the Reference Manager, click the Browse button, and choose the .dll file of the installed ADO.NET Provider (e.g. System.Data.CData.GoogleDirectory.dll, typically located at C:\Program Files\CData\CData ADO.NET Provider for Google Directory\lib etstandard2.0).

SELECT Google Directory Data from the Blazor App

1. Open the Index.razor file from the Project page.
2. In a GoogleDirectoryConnection object, set the connection string:

   Google uses the OAuth authentication standard. You can authorize the data provider to access Google Spreadsheets as an individual user or with a Google Apps Domain service account. See the Getting Started section of the data provider help documentation for an authentication guide.

   For example: OAuthClientId=MyOAuthClientId;OAuthClientSecret=MyOAuthClientSecret;CallbackURL=http://localhost;

3. The code below creates a simple Blazor app for displaying Google Directory data, using standard SQL to query Google Directory just like SQL Server.

         @page "/"
         @using System.Data;
         @using System.Data.CData.GoogleDirectory;
         
         <h1>Hello, world!</h1>
         
         Welcome to your Data app.
         
         <div class="row">
             <div class="col-12">
         
                 @using (GoogleDirectoryConnection connection = new GoogleDirectoryConnection(
                   "OAuthClientId=MyOAuthClientId;OAuthClientSecret=MyOAuthClientSecret;CallbackURL=http://localhost;"))
                 {
                     var sql = "SELECT Id, Description FROM MyTable";
                     var results = new DataTable();
         
                     GoogleDirectoryDataAdapter dataAdapter = new GoogleDirectoryDataAdapter(sql, connection);
                     dataAdapter.Fill(results);
         
                     <table class="table table-bordered">
                         <thead class="thead-light">
                             <tr>
                                 @foreach (DataColumn item in results.Rows[0].Table.Columns)
                                 {
                                     <th scope="col">@item.ColumnName</th>
                                 }
                             </tr>
                         </thead>
                         <tbody>
                             @foreach (DataRow row in results.Rows)
                             {
                                 <tr>
                                     @foreach (var column in row.ItemArray)
                                     {
                                         <td>@column.ToString()</td>
                                     }
                                 </tr>
                             }
                         </tbody>
                     </table>
                 }
             </div>
         </div>
       

4. Rebuild and run the project. The ADO.NET Provider renders Google Directory data as an HTML table in the Blazor app.

   At this point, you have a Google Directory-connected Blazor app, capable of working with live Google Directory data just like you would work with a SQL Server instance. Download a free, 30-day trial and start working with live Google Directory data in your Blazor apps today.