The Microsoft .NET Framework promises to dramatically change the way you and I develop applications—including how we provide data access. ADO.NET, the next generation of ADO, will be the primary data access API for Microsoft .NET applications. If you already know ADO, you'll have a head start on learning ADO.NET. The .NET Framework contains two managed data providers: System.Data.ADO, which exposes generic data-access classes, and System.Data.SQL, which provides SQL Server-specific data-access classes. Here's a preview of the seven main objects in the ADO.NET architecture.

1. DataSet
Shared by both the System.Data.ADO and the System.Data.SQL namespaces, the ADO.NET DataSet object is the core component of the ADO.NET architecture. DataSet, an in-memory database cache for use in disconnected operations, contains a complete collection of tables, relationships, and constraints. ADO.NET posts changes to DataSet's contents in batch to the target data source. DataSet corresponds to ADO's disconnected Recordset object.

2. SQLDataSetCommand
The SQLDataSetCommand object represents a database query or stored procedure that you use to populate the ADO.NET DataSet object. SQLDataSetCommand corresponds, in part, to the functionality that ADO's Command object provides.

3. SQLCommand
The SQLCommand object represents a T-SQL statement or stored procedure that SQL Server will execute. SQLCommand corresponds to another piece of functionality that ADO's Command object provides.

4. SQLParameter
You use the SQLParameter object to pass parameters to the SQLCommand or SQLDataSetCommand object. When you use SQLParameter to pass a parameter to SQLCommand, SQLParameter represents a parameter that a T-SQL statement or stored procedure can use. When you use SQLParameter to pass a parameter to SQLDataSetCommand, SQLParameter represents a column from a result set. SQLParameter corresponds to ADO's Parameter object.

5. SQLConnection
The SQLConnection object represents an open connection to a SQL Server data source. This object is like ADO's standard Connection object.

6. SQLDataReader
Like ADO's fast, forward-only Recordset object, the SQLDataReader object reads a forward-only data stream from a SQL Server database. Unlike most other ADO.NET objects, SQLDataReader works with an open database connection.

7. SQLError
The SQLError object collects information about runtime warnings and error conditions that an ADO.NET application encounters. SQLError corresponds to ADO's Error object.

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Reader Comments

Will the iPod replace the Palm?

While Palm computing offers a world of features and capabilities, the one thing it doesn't offer is voluminous storage. Most of Palm's gizmos are basically window dressings to sell the product, when the majority of users are primarily interested just in the contacts and reminders. Now, Power-On has released a free NowPak module that lets Now Up-to-Date and Contact users quickly and easily put their important contact data on any iPod running the new iPod 1.1 software -- and it looks like they're going after the Palm jugular.

With the NowPak for iPod , users can seamlessly transfer contact data from Now Contact to the iPod. To download contacts, users just mount the iPod on their Macintosh desktop (running Mac OS X 10.2 or later) and then simply run the NowPak software, which creates a contact file on the iPod listing all the contact information that has been transferred.

We do not know if the software is capable of playing an MP3 file upon a certain date/time event, however, imagine how wonderful it would be to load voice announcements (in MP3 format) to your iPod, and with Up-to-Date & Contact Version 4.1, play those announcements at the proper time. If Apple has their heads screwed on right, it shouldn't be long before iPod has voice input, a small play-back speaker and even an infrared port. (Why not let iPod users share songs?) Once that happens, I'll buy one.

I've been happily using the Olympus Digital voice recorder in place of a palm with great success, and now they've got voice recognition, smart media memory, and MP3 playback support. If the iPod migrates in this direction, then it moves up to a much wider market appeal for business as well as rich, spoiled skateboarders.

This new product from Power-On certainly is pushing the iPod in the right direction. The suggested retail price of Up-to-Date & Contact Version 4.1, filling needs on both computer and PDA.

Mayank Bhasin- December 20, 2002