MySQL Bugs: #27221: describe SQL command returns all byte array on MySQL versions older than 4.1.7

Bug #27221	describe SQL command returns all byte array on MySQL versions older than 4.1.7
Submitted:	16 Mar 2007 17:23	Modified:	8 May 2007 16:41
Reporter:	Robert Hood	Email Updates:
Status:	Closed	Impact on me:	None
Category:	Connector / NET	Severity:	S3 (Non-critical)
Version:	5.0.7, server 4.1.3	OS:	Windows (Win XP)
Assigned to:		CPU Architecture:	Any

Description:
When executing a "DESCRIBE ..." SQL Command with MySqlCommand returns a data table full of byte arrays instead of the actual results when connecting to a MySQL server that is version 4.1.15 or older.  The connection string we are using is formatted in the following format:

DataSource=xxxxxxx;uid=xxxxxx;pwd=xxxxxx;database=xxxxxx;Convert Zero Datetime=True;Allow Batch=FALSE

How to repeat:
Connect to a MySql server that is older than 4.1.15, create a MySqlCommand object, and execute a SQL command in the formate "DESCRIBE `database`.`table`;"  Then use the Visual Studio 2005 DataTable visualizer to view the contents of the returned table.

A patch for this bug has been committed. After review, it may
be pushed to the relevant source trees for release in the next
version. You can access the patch from:

  http://lists.mysql.com/commits/22389

Fixed in 5.0.6

A note has been added to the 5.0.6 changelog.

Fixed verified for at least MySql Versions 4.1.7 and later.  However, the bug remains for version 4.1.1-alpha.  If all you're doing is checking the server version you're connecting to before making your query, can you just treat versions 4.1.0 and later the same as 4.1.7 and later?

Verified with test case at the bottom on:
 - MySQL server 4.1.3 running on remote computer
 - c/NET SVN sources, rev 651
 - NET fw 2.0
 - Both client and host computers run on WinXP Pro SP2

--<cut>--
============================
Field = System.Byte[]
Type = System.Byte[]
Null = System.Byte[]
Key = System.Byte[]
Default = System.Byte[]
Extra = System.Byte[]
============================
--<cut>--

Changing the synopsis.

Test case:
  private static void DisplayData(System.Data.DataTable table)
  {
      foreach (System.Data.DataRow row in table.Rows)
      {
          foreach (System.Data.DataColumn col in table.Columns)
          {
              Console.WriteLine("{0} = {1}", col.ColumnName, row[col]);
          }
          Console.WriteLine("============================");
      }
  }
  private void bnBug27221_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
  {
      MySqlConnection conn = new MySqlConnection();
      conn.ConnectionString = DataaSource=10.192.192.8;Database=mysql;UserID=root;Password=;PORT=3306";
      conn.Open();
      MySqlDataAdapter da = new MySqlDataAdapter("DESCRIBE mysql.user", conn);
      DataTable dt = new DataTable();
      da.Fill(dt);
      DisplayData(dt);
      Console.WriteLine("Done.");
      dt.Clear();
      da.Dispose();
      conn.Close();
  }

Robert

4.1.7 was the first production version of MySQL 4.1.  We make a commitment to make sure our products work with all production versions of MySQL and the latest pre-release version of products that have not yet gone GA.  I apologize for the inconvenience but I cannot support pre-GA products once a GA version is released.

Reggie