Since there is no Sqlserver array parameter, what's the best way to proceed?

Question

I need to create multiple records in sqlserver, each with the same value in column A, but with a unique value in column B. I have the values for column B in an array.

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Answer 1

Both options have their advantages (option 1 is a single round-trip, option 2 doesn't use hokey string processing), but I would likely end up going with option 2. Option 1 suffers from the size limits of varchars (8000 unless you use varchar(MAX); I have no idea what the performance would be on a comma-delimited varchar(MAX) string that's terribly long).

As far as rollback, yes, just do all of the operations on a single open connection and use a SqlTransaction object.

For example...

using(SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("connection string"))
{
    conn.Open();

    using(SqlTransaction trans = conn.BeginTrasnaction())
    {
        try
        {
            using(SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("command text", conn, trans))
            {
                SqlParameter aParam = new SqlParameter("a", SqlDbType.Int);
                SqlParameter bParam = new SqlParameter("b", SqlDbType.Int);

                cmd.Parameters.Add(aParam);
                cmd.Parameters.Add(bParam);

                aParam.Value = 1;

                foreach(int value in bValues)
                {
                    bValue = value;

                    cmd.ExecuteNonQuery();
                }
            }

            trans.Commit();
        }
        catch
        {
            trans.Rollback();

            throw; // so the exception can propogate up
        }
    }
}