If you are only reading one row from one column, you would be better to use

int myVariable = (int) mySqlCommand.ExecuteScalar();

(might have to use int.parse I cannot remember)

Scalar takes...

I have not yet started this, I want some advice on how to proceed before I waste too much time!

I am writing a Service which listens on a COM port, parses input, and stores relevant data to a...