sqldatareader - C# retrieve data from database - unknown datatype and unknown column name -

i'm trying retrieve user selected data database. user can select 5 fields show in report , fields mixture of strings, dates , numbers. cannot convert data strings in sql code due other reports being run. since don't know datatype, can't datareader.getsqlstring(column), , since don't know name of column user may have selected, can't datareader.getstring(datareader.getordinal(columnname)). ideas on how retrieve values database without knowing either datatype or column name?

thanks in advance.

you can use reader.getschematable() table of schema of data reader or reader.gettype(n) or reader.getproviderspecifictype(n) datatype of particular field.

you can use information decide method call:

if (reader.gettype(n) == typeof(string)) {     string value = reader.getstring(n); }