For SQL Server, if using a newer version, you can use
select *
from INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS
where TABLE_NAME='tableName'
There are different ways to get the schema. Using ADO.NET, you can use the schema methods. Use the DbConnection's GetSchema method or the DataReader'sGetSchemaTable method.
Provided that you have a reader for the for the query, you can do something like this:
using(DbCommand cmd = ...)
using(var reader = cmd.ExecuteReader())
{
var schema = reader.GetSchemaTable();
foreach(DataRow row in schema.Rows)
{
Debug.WriteLine(row["ColumnName"] + " - " + row["DataTypeName"])
}
}
See this article for further details.