Description of the Microsoft application blocks for .NET topic: "Data Access Application Block Overview"

This article discusses the Microsoft Application Block for .NET topic: "Data Access Application Block Overview."

The Data Access Application Block is a Microsoft .NET Framework component that contains optimized data access code that can help you do the following:

• Call stored procedures.
• Issue SQL text commands against a SQL Server database.

The Data Access Application Block returns the SqlDataReader object, the DataSet object, and the XmlReader object. You can use the Data Access Application Block as a building block in your own .NET Framework-based application to reduce the quantity of custom code that you must create, test, and maintain.

"Data Access Application Block Overview" contains the following sections:

• Introduction
  The Data Access Application Block encapsulates performance best practices and resource management best practices for how to gain access to Microsoft SQL Server databases. You can use the Data Access Application Block as a building block in your own .NET Framework-based application. The Data Access Application Block reduces the quantity of custom code that you must create, test, and maintain. The Data Access Application Block helps you to do the following:
  • Call stored procedures or SQL text commands.
  • Specify parameter details.
  • Return the SqlDataReader object, the DataSet object, and the XmlReader object.
  • Use strongly typed datasets.
• What Does the Data Access Application Block Include?
  The Data Access Application Block component includes the Microsoft Visual Basic .NET source code or the Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 source code and the Microsoft Visual C# .NET source code or the Microsoft Visual C# 2005 source code for the Data Access Application Block. It also includes a Quick Start Samples client application in each language that you can use to test common scenarios. The sample can help you to better understand how the Data Access Application Block works. You can also customize the source code to fit your requirements.
• Downloading and Installing the Data Access Application Block
  This section discusses how to download and to install the Data Access Application Block. A Microsoft Windows Installer file that contains the signed Data Access Application Block assembly and the comprehensive documentation is available. The install process creates a Microsoft Application Block for .NET menu on your Programs menu. The Data Access menu that appears on the Microsoft Application Block for .NET menu includes options to start the documentation and to start the Data Access Application Block Visual Studio .NET or Visual Studio 2005 solution.
• Using the Data Access Application Block
  This section discusses how to use the Data Access Application Block to run database commands and to manage parameters.
• Internal Design
  This section discusses the internal design of the Data Access Application Block. The Data Access Application Block includes the full source code and a comprehensive guide to its design. This section describes the main implementation details.

For more information, visit the following Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Web site: