Data Connections in Server Explorer/Database Explorer

You can create connections in Server Explorer/Database Explorer using Visual Database Tools and Visual Studio data design tools, such as the Data Source Configuration Wizard.

Note

In the Visual Studio Express products, this window is named Database Explorer. In all other Visual Studio products, this window is named Server Explorer.

Making Data Connections

• Add/Modify Connection Dialog Box (General).

• How to: Create Connections to SQL Server Databases

• How to: Create Connections to Access Databases

• How to: Create Connections to Oracle Databases

Programming with ADO.NET

ADO.NET technology, part of the .NET Framework, makes it possible for you to connect programmatically to a data source.

For more information, see the following pages:

.NET Framework

• ADO.NET

• System.Data

• Comparison of ADO.NET and ADO

• Accessing Data (Visual Studio)

• Consuming a DataSet from an XML Web Service (ADO.NET)

• Manipulating Data in a DataTable (ADO.NET)

Visual Studio

• Getting Started with Data Access

• Creating Client Data Applications

• Creating Visual Web Developer Data Applications

Data Providers

A data provider owns its own data and exposes it in tabular form. It is not dependent on other providers — service or data — to provide data to the consumer. For more information, see the following pages:

• .NET Framework Data Providers (ADO.NET)

See Also

Tasks

How to: Add Items from Server Explorer

Other Resources

Connecting to Data in Visual Studio

Connecting to Data with Server Explorer/Database Explorer