Products : Connect for ADO.NET : ADO.NET Overview

Overview: DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET

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DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET is the industry's only suite of ADO.NET data providers with a 100% managed architecture, eliminating the need for database clients, boosting performance and delivering a flexible, secure connection to Oracle, DB2, Microsoft SQL Server, and Sybase.

DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET provides unparalleled interoperability for .NET applications by abstracting differences between different databases and database versions. Developers can use Connect for ADO.NET to write and deploy applications that connect to multiple databases, while reducing the amount of code necessary to utilize features specific to each database.

Without the need for database clients, Connect for ADO.NET eliminates risks and closes holes that unmanaged code leaves exposed, and provides developers the most versatile deployment options available in both application- and client-server environments.

DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET also offers advanced security features such as operating system authentication for creating a Single Sign-On environment and SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption to protect critical data.

Note: The current product release (DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET, Release 3.1 SP2) supports the Microsoft .NET Framework versions 2.0, 3.0, and 3.5. DataDirect will continue to provide support for the 1.x Framework through Release 2.2 of DataDirect Connect for .NET.

If you're ready to try DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET in your application, download an evaluation version or contact us if you need assistance in evaluating the product. Keep reading to learn more about why you should choose DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET.

100% Managed Code for Better Security, Performance and Flexibility

DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET is the only product to bring the power, performance and security of 100% managed code to ADO.NET data connectivity. Because it runs entirely within the protected environment of the .NET Framework, your applications can take advantage of the built-in reliability, security and management capabilities of the .NET Framework.

DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET offers other advanced security features such as SSL encryption to protect critical data transmitted between the application and the database server, as well as operating system (OS) authentication. OS authentication allows organizations to create a Single Sign-On environment that bolsters security, eliminates the need for users to log in separately for each appliction, and reduces the costs associated with managing user accounts.

As a 100% managed code provider, DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET eliminates the need for database client libraries such as Oracle Net for Oracle 10g. This not only improves performance, it enables applications to utilize different versions of the data providers in a shared environment. This architecture also reduces rollout time and maintenance costs, as it can be easily deployed through the ClickOnce deployment method.

DataDirect ADO.NET Architecture

Quality and Advanced Functionality

DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET providers are rigorously tested against DataDirect Technologies proprietary test suites under production simulation conditions to ensure a superior quality product.

DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET supports the latest database versions and features, as well as advanced functionality across all major databases. Our ADO.NET providers support distributed transactions, connection pooling, operating system authentication, connection failover and client-side load balancing.

Maximizes Interoperability Across Databases

DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET enables applications to access multiple databases with fewer lines of code and less maintenance, ensuring consistent functionality and performance, regardless of the database. Interoperability features include:

• Common code base across all providers reduces the amount of code necessary to access multiple databases, while providing consistent functionality
• Standard "escape" syntax support for stored procedures, outer joins, scalar functions, date, time and timestamps for all databases
• Standard error code mappings (SQLStates)
• Standardized parameter markers ("?") across all databases

Visual Studio Developer Tools

DataDirect provides visual development aids that are seamlessly integrated into Visual Studio 2008 to assist in developing interoperable database code. This provides a consistent level of functionality across different databases, such as:

• View of meta-data across multiple data sources is consistent (collections).
• Manipulation of connection properties (user name, port, host) and advanced properties is consistent across data sources.
• Output of performance wizards can be leveraged in a consistent fashion across data source types.

A visual drag-and-drop metaphor is leveraged that includes support for Server Explorer, Code Generation Wizards, Query Builder, and Schema Viewer. All these features provide a more robust development environment when you use DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET.

.NET Framework versions 2.0, 3.0, and 3.5

DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET data providers support versions 2.0, 3.0, and 3.5 of the Microsoft .NET Framework, leveraging the latest ADO.NET 2.0 functionality, and allowing your applications to use the latest innovations in performance, security, and deployment.

ADO.NET 2.0 Conformance

The ADO.NET 2.0 specification provides support for a Common Programming Model that supports a provider- and data source-independent programming model. In the Microsoft .NET Framework 1.x, ADO.NET 1.0 connection objects were required to be explicitly stated and are designed to be specific to the individual database type. This made it impossible to write interoperable code for the various database providers—SQL Server, Oracle, DB2, and Sybase.

In ADO.NET 2.0, a collection of related classes that provide common operations allow the developer to code to generic interfaces, which allows a database call to be made without knowing in advance the target database.

ADO.NET Provider Features

• Eliminates the need for client libraries. This enables faster performance, speedier deployment, and reduced maintenance, while ensuring support for multiple versions of a database with a single provider
• Supports operating system authentication, which allows organizations to create a Single Sign-On environment.
• Supports SSL encryption to protect critical data.
• Supports Oracle 10g Float and Double Data types and supports Oracle RAC.
• Offers connection failover support and client-side load balancing for all databases.
• Provides distributed transaction support using Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator (DTC) for all providers. Also supports System.Transactions, which is included in the 2.0 Framework to consolidate all transaction capabilities into a single interface.
• Supports Microsoft-compatible Connection Pooling and Windows authentication for Microsoft SQL Server.
• Includes support for Command Builders and includes built-in debugging tools and tracing capabilities for faster development.
• Supports Schema Metadata included in ADO.NET 2.0 which makes it easier to ascertain information about the database schema.

Databases Supported

• Oracle
• DB2
• Microsoft SQL Server
• Sybase

See the database support matrix for a complete list of all the database versions supported.

Client Platforms

DataDirect Connect for .NET, Release 2.2 (supports .NET 1.x Framework): Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003 for Intel

DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET, Release 3.1 (supports .NET 2.0 and 3.0 Framework): Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista

If you're ready to try DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET in your application, download an evaluation version or contact us if you need assistance in evaluating the product.