Building Applications with SQL Server Native Client
Applies to: 
SQL Server
Azure SQL Database
Azure SQL Managed Instance
Azure Synapse Analytics
Analytics Platform System (PDW)
Important
SQL Server Native Client (SNAC) isn't shipped with:
- SQL Server 2022 (16.x) and later versions
- SQL Server Management Studio 19 and later versions
The SQL Server Native Client (SQLNCLI or SQLNCLI11) and the legacy Microsoft OLE DB Provider for SQL Server (SQLOLEDB) aren't recommended for new application development.
For new projects, use one of the following drivers:
For SQLNCLI that ships as a component of SQL Server Database Engine (versions 2012 through 2019), see this Support Lifecycle exception.
When developing an application that uses the SQL Server Native Client library, there are a number of issues that come into play. The topics in this section discuss many of these issues including upgrading from MDAC to SQL Server Native Client, using the SQL Server Native Client header and library files, and an overview of the various connection strings that can be used with SQL Server Native Client.
In This Section
Installing SQL Server Native Client
Discusses how SQL Server Native Client is installed, the locations that various components are installed to, and how to uninstall SQL Server Native Client.
Components of SQL Server Native Client
Discusses the components that make up SQL Server Native Client including library, resource, help, and header files.
Using Connection String Keywords with SQL Server Native Client
Discusses the various types of connection strings that can be used when connecting to a database through SQL Server Native Client.
Using the SQL Server Native Client Header and Library Files
Discusses how to use the SQL Server Native Client header and library files within an application.
Updating an Application to SQL Server Native Client from MDAC
Discusses the differences between SQL Server Native Client and MDAC and issues that should be considered when upgrading from MDAC to SQL Server Native Client.
Updating an Application from SQL Server 2005 Native Client
Discusses issues that should be considered when upgrading from SQL Server 2005 (9.x) Native Client to SQL Server Native Client in SQL Server 2012 (11.x).
Using ADO with SQL Server Native Client
Discusses how ADO can use SQL Server Native Client to access and use SQL Server functionality.
Support Policies for SQL Server Native Client
Discusses how various data-access components can be used with different versions of SQL Server Native Client.
Connecting to an Azure SQL Database Using SQL Server Native Client
Discusses how to connect to a SQL Database using SQL Server Native Client.
See Also
SQL Server Native Client Programming
ODBC How-to Topics
OLE DB How-to Topics